Workstation Ergonomics
January 26, 2023
Employees often spend a lot of time at their workstations, so it’s important to ensure the space is set up for them to succeed and develop healthy and sustainable habits. Ergonomics is the science of fitting a workspace to an individual’s needs and aims to increase efficiency while reducing discomfort and the likelihood of injury. Poor workstation ergonomics can lead to reduced productivity and several musculoskeletal disorders that may have long-lasting effects, such as head or neck strain and damage to muscles, nerves, blood vessles, ligaments and tendons.
While completing a nonergonomic motion may feel natural or safe for the short term, repetitive or prolonged use of an unhealthy body movement can lead to long-term injuries and strains. Typically, aches and pains from office work stem from physical stress due to prolonged and awkward positions, repetitive motions and overuse. Even with the best posture and ergonomics, sitting at a desk can still be stressful for the body. Fortunately, a properly designed workstation and healthy habits can help employees stay comfortable and healthy at work. Here are tips for several aspects of healthy workstation ergonomics:
- Chair support—An employee’s chair should support their spine’s curvature and adjust so that their feet are resting flat on the floor and their thighs are parallel to it. Employees should focus on maintaining good posture by sitting up as straight as possible.
- Desk placement—A desk should have space underneath for an employee’s legs and feet without their knees banging on the bottom. If it’s too low, employees should adjust their chairs or work surfaces accordingly.
- Computer monitor positioning—Employees should ensure their computer monitors are directly in front of them and an arm’s length away. The top of the screen or screens should be at or below eye level.
- Keyboard and mouse use—When using a keyboard and mouse, they should be on the same surface. Ideally, a flat keyboard is better than a tilted one. Employees should position their arms so their wrists can be straight, with their arms at elbow level.
- Phone and meeting considerations—If an employee is spending much time on phone calls or in meetings, a headset or speakerphone can reduce the need to frequently hold up the phone or press it up against their neck.
- Lighting selection—A mixture of natural and artificial light can reduce the risk of eye strain and headaches. Glare can also strain an employee’s eyes, so they should position their monitor in a way that reduces and eliminates glare, if possible.
- File organization—Employees can organize files and materials so they’re not frequently bending or straining to access them.
While setting up a workstation properly is key, it’s also important to maintain healthy behaviors, such as focusing on good posture. In addition, employees should be sure to readjust and take breaks from time to time. On average, the human body can only tolerate one position for about 20 minutes before needing readjustment. Even taking a one-minute break every 20 minutes is helpful.
Ideally, an employee’s workstation setup should include everything they need to create an ergonomic environment. However, if employees have any questions about their equipment or best practices, they should discuss them with their manager.
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The IRS recently announced the updated retirement plan contribution limits for 2026, reflecting cost-of-living adjustments and new guidance under the SECURE 2.0 Act. Whether you’re an employer managing a company plan or an employee planning for your future, these changes are important to understand so you can make the most of your retirement savings. Key Increases for 2026 Some of the most notable updates for defined contribution plans, including 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans, are summarized in the chart below:
As we move into 2026, employers across many states and localities are preparing for significant minimum wage increases. Nearly 20 states and more than 40 local jurisdictions will raise their wage thresholds effective January 1, 2026. This poses important planning, budgeting, and compliance considerations, especially for mid-sized employers like those that partner with Simco, where payroll, HR, benefits and advisory services intersect. Below we’ve summarized key state and local minimum wage updates and outlined the steps you should take now to stay ahead of the changes and mitigate risk. State-Level Minimum Wage Increases (January 1, 2026) The table below highlights selected state increases scheduled for January 1, 2026.
When HR Is Overloaded, Your Business Feels It For many small to mid-sized businesses, HR is one of the most critical (and most overextended) functions. From payroll and benefits to onboarding and compliance reporting, administrative tasks can quickly consume your team’s time, leaving little room for strategic work that actually moves the business forward. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. A recent survey from Champions of Change: isolved’s Fourth-Annual HR Leaders’ Research Study found that 51% of HR leaders spend four or more hours a day answering repetitive questions. This time could be better spent on employee engagement, culture, and growth initiatives. When HR teams are pulled in too many directions, the consequences ripple across the entire organization, resulting in missed deadlines, frustrated staff, compliance risks, and ultimately, higher turnover. Why HR Leaders Consider Outsourcing Outsourcing HR isn’t just for businesses without dedicated HR teams. In fact, a survey of 1,000 HR decision-makers found that 76% could benefit from outsourcing certain tasks, even though only 54% currently have plans to do so. HR outsourcing allows organizations to offload both core and strategic tasks, including payroll, benefits administration, recruitment, onboarding, compliance support, performance management, employee relations, and workforce analytics, without adding headcount. This augmentation provides a multiplier effect: a small HR team can function like a much larger one, accomplishing more in less time. By leveraging experienced HR professionals through outsourcing, organizations can free up internal HR teams to focus on initiatives that directly impact business growth, such as talent development, employee engagement, and culture-building. Routine administrative tasks, when handled externally, no longer distract from these high-value priorities. The True Cost of Administrative Overload Overburdened HR teams don’t just affect your internal operations; they impact your employees’ experience. Inconsistent onboarding can create a rocky first impression for new hires. Delayed payroll or benefits questions lead to frustration and decreased trust. Compliance oversights expose your business to fines and legal risk. Even small inefficiencies add up. According to the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO), organizations that leverage an outsourced HR model achieve an average ROI of 27.2% per year, saving around $1,775 per employee while paying $1,395 per employee for outsourced services. That’s not just cost savings, it’s a reinvestment in your team and your business. The Power of Strategic HR Outsourcing Outsourcing doesn’t mean giving up control or handing HR off to a faceless provider. Done strategically, it’s about extending your team. Administrative tasks like payroll, benefits, onboarding, and reporting can be handled efficiently by experts, while HR teams gain confidence that compliance requirements are being met. Most importantly, it frees internal HR to pivot from reactive, day-to-day tasks toward engagement, culture-building, and retention strategies. Outsourced HR support can scale with your business, providing additional expertise during busy periods, leaves of absence, or rapid growth phases. The impact is clear. Teams feel supported, employees feel heard, and the organization operates smarter, not harder. With the right outsourcing partner, a small HR team can act like a team of 10, and a team of five can perform like a team of 25, all while maintaining compliance and efficiency. Retention Starts With the Right Employee Experience When administrative burdens are reduced, HR teams can focus on creating meaningful experiences for employees. Transparent processes around pay, benefits, and policies build trust. Faster, more organized onboarding leaves a strong first impression. Access to modern self-service HCM tools empowers employees to manage their own information, reducing repetitive questions and improving engagement. By leveraging experienced HR professionals to handle gaps in internal processes, organizations can enhance overall employee satisfaction, ensuring every interaction, from onboarding to open enrollment, feels seamless and supportive. A Smarter Approach to HR Means a Stronger Business Across industries, companies are recognizing that HR outsourcing is no longer a luxury. It’s a strategic advantage. Organizations that adopt a blended model of technology and advisory support report measurable reductions in administrative workload, cost savings compared to maintaining fully in-house HR teams, and improved engagement for employees. Strategic HR outsourcing allows internal teams to shift from transactional tasks to big-picture initiatives, creating a more resilient, efficient, and high-performing workforce. At the end of the day, HR isn’t just a function; it’s the backbone of your organization. When it’s overextended, the entire business suffers. But with the right support, HR teams can focus on meaningful initiatives, employees feel more valued, and the business benefits from measurable ROI. Strategic HR outsourcing isn’t about replacing your team, it’s about empowering it. Your people, your culture, and your bottom line all benefit. Curious how Simco's HR Advisory services can help your business? Let's talk today.
