How tech designed with well-being in mind drives productivity It’s widely held that a happy worker is a better worker. In fact, researchers have found that companies with happy employees outperform the competition. So it behooves managers to convey their appreciation. If nothing else, doing so encourages employee engagement, which results in increased productivity and profitability.
Part of that happiness is the increased flexibility of being allowed to work from home either full time or in a hybrid fashion. A blend of working remotely and in the office, hybrid working can be the best of both worlds, especially for employees missing the companionship of colleagues. More than half (55%) of surveyed office workers in the US and UK miss the random interactions offered by a traditional office environment; 45% say they are happier after such encounters. Surprisingly, 37% rate the prospect of working in the office as the equivalent of going out to meet with friends.*
A blend of working remotely and in the office, hybrid working can be the best of both worlds
But those who prefer (or are still mandated) to work from home enjoy many benefits—such as cost savings, no commute, and a better work-life balance—and don’t want it to end; 58% of workers said they would “absolutely” look for a new job if they cannot continue remote work in their current role. And surveys now show that real-world remote workers may be even more productive than their in-office colleagues.*
This presents IT leaders with a real opportunity to help their employees feel supported and valued. One way to do so is to help them establish a positive, effective working environment.
Wondering where to start? On a physical level, solving these six issues should put you well on your way to cultivating a happy, productive workforce.
1 – Improve videoconferencing camera placement
We’ve all seen it: Someone on the video conference is looking directly at the others on their monitor, but the laptop camera is pointed at the side of their head or below their chin.
Be aware of room lighting. Placing a lamp behind the camera, shining on the face, can prevent a silhouette and provides a more professional look. And don’t forget the all-important background check, especially when working from home! Make sure no sensitive information is displayed.
SOLUTION
Elevate meetings and other employee online interactions with an adjustable webcam that provides crystal clear video, even in low light.
Get a sharp, clear picture from a pop-up 5MP webcam with adjustable tilt plus built-in speakers and dual microphones for rich sound. Rigorous audio and video testing of this Zoom Certified monitor series ensures a high-quality and reliable Zoom experience.
2 – Help relieve tired or irritated eyes caused by screen fatigue
Humans usually blink about 15–20 times a minute, which spreads tears evenly across the eyes and prevents eyes from getting dry and irritated. However, research shows that people blink less than half as often when they work on a computer screen.**
Place screens at about arm’s length—close enough for good viewing, but far enough away to ensure eye comfort.
SOLUTION
Computer monitors that offer always-on, low blue light help with screen fatigue. Details like Quad HD resolution, wide viewing angles, and accurate color calibration create a premium viewing experience. And an ultrawide monitor allows viewing of multiple documents at once.
3 – Assist in preventing discomfort from laptop keyboards
Typing on a laptop keyboard for hours on end forces the body into awkward positions and can cause physical distress. Even though every tap on the keyboard seems small, the keystrokes add up.
SOLUTION
Don’t hunch over the computer. Position the center of the screen at eye level to minimize the need to lean forward at the neck. But those are short-term stopgaps.
A more optimal choice: Use an external keyboard and mouse. They encourage workers to place their hands closer to the body rather than to outstretch to a laptop’s built-in keyboard. That also permits them to raise the laptop for better viewing on-screen.
Another option: Help relieve back pain with a standing desk. By alternating between seated and standing positions, employees can reduce back pain and fatigue while also benefiting from increased energy, productivity, and cognitive ability. The added energy expenditure from standing increases focus and improves memory.
4 – Contribute to promoting ergonomic body position
Looking at a small screen at the wrong height can cause people to lean forward at the neck in an uncomfortable position.
SOLUTION
Having more than one monitor, or a widescreen, has proven to improve productivity. Monitors like the HP E-series, available in three different screen sizes—23.8", 27", and 34" diagonal curved—can make a huge difference for anyone, especially people who work with complex or highly visual applications.
An external monitor with an adjustable screen can help people find their sweet spot in a comfortable, upright position. Better yet, choose two external monitors. A dual monitor setup provides a larger and more flexible visual workspace and contributes to productivity by making it easier to multitask. It reduces time in opening and closing windows dozens of times a day, makes it painless to copy and paste between multiple applications, and allows workers to dedicate a window for each project underway.
It’s also a boon for anyone collaborating in online conferences; the second monitor makes it easier to reference additional documents during meetings
5 – Reduce clutter
A cluttered workspace may feel chaotic. Cords and cables strewn about desktops leave workers fumbling to find the right connectors, rearranging setups for different devices, and taking valuable minutes away from work.
SOLUTION
A dock helps clear the desk and the mind, with connections for a wired network, data, and video—all through a single USB-C® cable. The quick plug-in and plug-out capability improves flexibility for a work-anywhere lifestyle.
A docking station simplifies life for workers who change locations and need to connect and disconnect numerous peripherals. With a docking station, everything can be connected with a single USB-C® connector, making a swift departure easier for people who might otherwise need an adapter for a mouse, HDMI-connected monitor, and other devices. That’s particularly useful for older equipment that has only USB-C® or Thunderbolt 3, as laptop manufacturers continue to eliminate SD card slots and reduce the number of USB ports.
6 – Upgrade slow, out-of-date OSes
The small things can make a big difference. When people are busy, an outdated operating system that requires a lot of time for startup and refresh can cause frustration and delays, which adds up to lost focus. Evolving workspaces need solutions that make adapting to them easy. PCs, monitors, and accessories use human centered design to support people in being comfortable, connected, and productive—anywhere.***
SOLUTION
Make sure employees have PCs that empower them to do their best work—with fast processors that let them work as fast as they need to. Windows 11 brings the biggest update to Microsoft’s PC software in years. Its cleaner, more enjoyable desktop mimics the look of glass and provides transparency on many desktop elements, from windows to menus. It supports multiple virtual desktops, snap layouts, a new taskbar, and a minimalist Start menu. The OS also makes application recommendations based on recent downloads. Windows 11 provides more cohesive interface features, better multi-monitor support, and multiple desktops on a single monitor.
Enhanced well-being features can create a more productive workforce
* FlexJobs, Survey Finds Employees Want Remote Work Post-Pandemic, 2021, http://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/flexjobs-survey-finds-employees-want-remote-work post-pandemic/
** WebMD, “Prevent Eyestrain From Digital Devices,” November 24, 2021, http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/prevent-digital-eyestrain (free registration required).
*** Recycled plastic content percentage is based on the definition set in the IEEE 1680.1-2018 EPEAT standard. 100% outer box packaging and corrugated cushions made from sustainably sourced certified and recycled fibers