Workplace advice

Under the Dutch Working Conditions Act (Arbowet), every employer is responsible for providing a safe and healthy working environment in which employees can do their work without health risks. A well-set-up workstation not only prevents complaints and sickness absence, but also contributes to sustainable employability, job satisfaction and productivity.

Workplace advice maps all ergonomic aspects of the workstation and working habits. This starts with an assessment of the working posture, the tasks someone performs and the habits that go with them. The aim is not only to optimise the physical working environment, but also to improve the behaviour and habits of employees.

In everyday language, workplace advice, workplace analysis and workplace check are often used interchangeably. We mean the same thing by them: a short, preventive assessment of the workstation in which the employee receives practical tips straight away and the workstation is, where possible, set up correctly on the spot.

Workplace advice is preventive. It is intended for situations in which there are no complaints or absence yet, but where you do want to be sure that employees are sitting well and working healthily. In a short time you can cover a whole department this way.

If there are complaints, a limitation or a return-to-work process, a workplace assessment is the appropriate route. It goes deeper and produces a report.

During the workplace analysis we go through the workstation systematically and, where possible, set it up correctly on the spot. The employee notices the difference immediately and is told why a setting is the way it is.

Workplace advice takes about fifteen minutes per employee. In a half-day we advise ten to twelve employees this way. The adviser comes to the workstation, so the assessment is done in the employee's own situation and not at a demonstration set-up.

Workplace advice combines well with the office ergonomics training. The training brings the whole group into line, the advice makes it concrete per workstation.

• A safe and healthy workstation, in line with the Dutch Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) and ergonomic guidelines.
• Concrete and achievable advice, directly applicable in practice.
• Greater awareness among employees of healthy and efficient working.
• Preventing or reducing complaints and thereby a reduction in sickness absence.
• A contribution to sustainable employability and retention of skills and productivity.
• Insight into which workstations do need attention, so you can invest in a targeted way.

Many improvements cost nothing. A chair that is positioned well, a screen at the right height and a different order of activities are often enough. Where an adjustment is needed, we name it specifically, so that a decision can be taken on it.

Think of a different keyboard or mouse, a monitor arm, a footrest, a sit-stand desk or extra lighting. We indicate what the bottleneck is and what a suitable solution would be. The choice and the purchase lie with the employer.

If it emerges during the advice that there is more going on, for example persistent complaints or reduced work capacity, we report that. In those situations a workplace assessment is more appropriate.