Not only does good ergonomics pay for itself in the long run; it may also improve your labor relations.
It’s a perfect meeting ground for you and your employees. They want good working conditions. You want good work. And everyone can win; for with decent ergonomics, you’ll enjoy lower turnover. You may very well lure good people away from competitors who run electronic sweatshops. Sharp screens and silky keyboards won’t single-handedly stave off unionization or endear you to ensconced unions, but they won’t hurt. A smart, secure executive, in fact, may even turn union complaints to his advantage. He’ll listen. He (or she) won’t spend $20,000 on new computers or terminals that inflame people’s eyes and tempers.
In short, he’ll learn eleven steps to good ergonomics:
1. The canary-in-the-mine theory of labor relations. Ergonomics is people, too, not just machines, and you’ll read here of better ways to work with both.
2. Good job design.
3. “Terminal” happiness. Detachable keyboards are just a start, whether you’re using a micro or a terminal hooked into a large computer. Micros normally include keyboards, screens, and other major parts of terminals. So “terminal” is what I’ll say most often in this chapter.
4. The right furniture.
5. The proper light, or as it’s been said, “Let there be less.”
6. Noise reduction.
7. Air conditioning, heating, and ventilation—basics neglected by a surprising number of computer users.