The Productivity Consequences of Two Ergonomic Interventions
Upjohn Institute Staff Working Paper No. 03-95
37 Pages Posted: 10 Nov 2003
Date Written: May 2003
Abstract
Pre- and post-intervention data on health outcomes, absenteeism, and productivity from a longitudinal, quasi-experimental design field study of office workers was used to evaluate the economic consequences of two ergonomic interventions. Researchers assigned individuals in the study to three groups: a group that received an ergonomically designed chair and office ergonomics training; a group that received office ergonomics training only; and a control group. The results show that while training alone has neither a statistically significant effect on health nor productivity, the chair-with-training intervention substantially reduced pain and improved productivity. Neither intervention affected sick leave hours.
Keywords: ergonomics, productivity, health, chair, DeRango, Upjohn
JEL Classification: I1, J0, J8, M5
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation