Nice office, healthier bottom line

Regional companies might not pay too much attention to the 'ambience' within their offices, but the way that space in between your four walls is utilised can make a big difference to the health of your company. That's the message that Kinnarps, a Swedish company present in the Middle East since 1992, is trying to put across.

Of course, we all complain when lighting is inadequate, AC units pump out humid air and a chair hurts our back. But all too often companies shrug it off, saying that the money isn't there to make things better.

A wrong attitude, says Chris Watson at Kinnarps Middle East. 'Too much electric light and a lack of natural light makes a person tired, and poor air conditioning units can make people ill,' he says. 'That all translates to the bottom line.'

For a company like Kinnarps, there is more to design than the way a product looks. In its own words, 'It is not just the look or the function of the product. Design to Kinnarps means a balanced mix of aesthetics, ergonomics, functionality and flexibility.'

For example, if, for some reason, you can't adjust your chair to suit the height of your table, adjust the height of the table instead. Or better still, why not have a table that comes up to waist height, allowing you to work standing up. Not as outlandish at it might seem, since an adjustable table that comes up to waist height is exactly what Chris Watson has in his very own Bur Dubai office.

Kinnarps doesn't just specialise in furniture, however. It believes its key competitive advantage is that it provides 'turn-key' workplace solutions, whereby it ties all the elements - design, furniture and construction - together as a single package.

Although there are plenty of examples of horrendous workspaces in the Middle East, plenty of companies are also taking the problem seriously. In the Middle East, Kinnarps has worked with big name multi-nationals, but also with local organisations like Emirates Bank International, Dubai Department of Economic Development and Dubai Internet City, amongst many others.

British Petroleum, a client of Kinnarps, even has its own regional occupational health advisor, Grainia Nash. Her role is to ensure that the different BP locations in the UAE and individual employees are all following guidelines on health in the workplace. Consequently, she is constantly on the lookout for monitors that are too close to an employee's eyes, poor lighting and bad posture.

Amongst several recommendations, Nash advises employees on how to sit at their desks in order to avoid RSI and muscle strain, and shows them how they can perform simple exercises that relieve eye and back strain. 'All these things are basic, but easily forgotten,' says Nash. 'People always know but just need to be reminded every now and again.'

All in all, if good office ergonomics means a more motivated and productive workforce, that of course means a much more healthy bottom line. If that message starts to get through, more and more companies might start paying more attention to the design of their office.


Article source:
Arabian Business Nov 02 issue
By David Ingham, Editor