Future Workplace Ergonomics

Is Your Workplace Secretly Draining Energy (and Money)? Let’s Talk Energy Audits. I’ll be honest when I first heard the term “energy audit,” I imagined a team of people in lab coats with clipboards, scrutinizing every light switch and outlet. But the reality? It’s way simpler, way more impactful, and something every workplace can (and should) do. Here’s the thing: We can’t fix what we don’t measure. When it comes to energy use, most offices are leaking resources literally and figuratively. From outdated appliances to inefficient lighting, the costs add up not just financially, but environmentally. So, let’s break it down. Here’s how you can start tackling energy waste at work, even if you’re not the “big boss”: 🔍 Where to Start: A DIY Energy Audit 1️⃣ Your Energy Bill Are you paying sky-high rates? Does your provider use renewable sources? Could shifting energy use to off-peak hours save money? 2️⃣ Infrastructure Drafty windows? Leaky faucets? 3️⃣ Lighting Are you still using outdated bulbs? Motion sensors or timers can cut energy use significantly. 4️⃣ Appliances & Electronics That copier idling all day? It’s a silent energy drain. 5️⃣ Travel Do employees fly often? Could some trips be replaced with virtual meetings? Consider carbon offsets for necessary travel. 6️⃣ Food & Waste Office catering often leads to food waste. Could you go meat-free once a week? 7️⃣ Sustainability as a Priority Are sustainability goals part of your company’s annual plan?  Do employees know it’s a priority? 💡 Why This Matters The average office building wastes 30% of its energy—yes, 30%. That’s not just bad for the planet; it’s bad for business. But here’s the good news: small changes can lead to big results. For example, switching to LED lighting can cut energy use by 75%. And addressing drafts or leaks can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs. What Your Next Steps -Start small. -Get everyone involved. -Track progress. Remember, this isn’t about overhauling your entire office overnight. It’s about taking that first step because every watt saved is a step toward a healthier planet and a healthier bottom line. What’s one change your workplace could make today? #Sustainability #WorkplaceCulture #ClimateAction #GreenOffice

Here's how Zeta demonstrates environmental responsibility in our day to day work life: A few months ago the Real Estate & Workplace (REW) team at Zeta were defining out Environmental & Social Governance goals - after a lot of jargon filled presentations, we asked ourselves - what can we implement immediately in our offices across India which can make a REAL and Positive impact on the environment. What followed was a series of initiatives which all of us are very proud of - here is what we did: 1. Plastic Garbage Bags to Compostable Garbage Bags: The garbage bags which were being used were made of plastic and we realized that we were putting a mountain of plastic back in the environment causing even more damage - we quickly researched and found compostable garbage bag manufacturers and made the switch - the amount of carbon footprint we saved by this simple switch has made a world of difference and given us a sense of relief that we are not adding to the environmental woes - all orgs can make this simple switch. (check out genuine compostable bags NOT biodegradable) 2. Water Conservation: At Zeta we simply changed the spouts of the taps with a sprinkler attachment which literally halves the water flow - saving tons of water wastage every month. Again a simple inexpensive way to support the environment - all organizations can easily implement. 3. Use of Recycled Copier Paper: Reams of paper get printed in all offices - at Zeta we simply started using recycled copier paper which may not look pristine white but gets the job done - saving millions of trees being cut for new printing paper manufacture. 4. Optimizing Electricity Usage: We have became very conscious of our electricity usage and have started simple activities of installing motion sensors for lights across offices which switch off if there is no motion sensed in the rooms or spaces - for older offices where we do not have these sensors we have mandated manual rounds by staff to switch off lights - also office areas with thin attendance (normally in evening hours) we switch of the Air Conditioning - all these small measures have started reflecting in the units of power consumed monthly and we are determined to keep going at it and make a real contribution to greener future together. Do share what you or your orgs are doing for a better greener, sustainable future. #GreenerTogether #LinkedInNewsIndia #LifeAtZeta #Sustainability #ESG

Why inclusion and universal design need to come together We often hear organisations talk about diversity and inclusion. Yet inclusion alone isn’t enough if the systems we work within were never designed with difference in mind. A review by Shore and colleagues (2018) (https://lnkd.in/e6vjNAXM) looked at what makes workplaces truly inclusive. They emphasised fairness, authenticity, and equal access to opportunities. Their model shows that inclusion is not just about who is in the workforce, but whether everyone feels respected, valued, and able to participate fully. But here’s the challenge: many workplace practices are retrofits. Adjustments are made once someone discloses a need or points out a barrier. That can work but it’s often costly, time-consuming, and can unintentionally stigmatise the individual. This is where Universal Design (UD) comes in. Instead of waiting to respond, UD builds accessibility, flexibility, and usability into everyday business-as-usual. It reduces the number of case-by-case “fixes” by planning for variation from the outset. For example: Providing captions and transcripts in training as standard helps Deaf staff, those learning English, and anyone re-watching on mute. Clear communication, step-by-step checklists, and structured task tools reduce overload not only for neurodivergent employees but for everyone. Designing sensory-friendly workspaces supports those with sensory sensitivities—and also improves focus and wellbeing for the whole team. So how do the two approaches differ and align? Inclusion models focus on culture: creating fairness, authenticity, and psychological safety. Universal Design focuses on structures: embedding accessibility and flexibility into systems, tools, and environments. Bringing them together means leaders shape workplaces that are both fair and functional, inclusive and accessible. For employers, this isn’t just the right thing to do it’s efficient. Many UD approaches are low or no cost, but they reduce duplication, improve resilience, and make personalised support less stigmatising. 👉 Take away.... Inclusive practices creates the right mindset; Universal Design creates the mechanisms. Together, they help us move from patching barriers to preventing them.

Accessibility isn’t an optional extra to tack on at the end - it should be built in from day one. When accessibility is thought about only at the end of a project, it often becomes complicated, time-consuming and costly to fix. But when it’s planned for from the start, it seamlessly integrates into the process without adding time, cost or unnecessary complexity. Think of it like wiring a house. If you wait until the house is built - complete with walls, furnishings and decorations - to add the wiring, you’ll face significant costs and disruption. But if you plan for the wiring as you build, it becomes a natural part of the process, without extra effort or expense. Whether you’re designing a product, service, space or system, accessibility must be part of the plan from the beginning. Anything less isn’t good design and means you’re not doing your job properly. ID: a purple Robbie Crow image reading “Accessibility isn’t an afterthought – it’s the foundation of good design. If you’re not planning accessibility in, you’re not doing your job properly”. Robbie’s name and a QR code are in the bottom right-hand corner. #DisabilityInclusion #Disability #DisabilityEmployment #Adjustments #DiversityAndInclusion #Content

If You're Struggling With Workplace Inclusion, Try This...   → Neurodiversity Integration Framework   Last week, I audited a Fortune 500 company's workspace. What I discovered was shocking. Their "inclusive" office was actually excluding 15% of their talent pool.   The bright fluorescent lights. The open office chaos. The rigid 9-5 schedule.   All of these were silent barriers keeping neurodivergent employees from performing at their best.   Here's what we implemented:   1.   Sensory Zones - Created dedicated quiet spaces - Installed adjustable lighting - Provided noise-canceling equipment   2.   Communication Flexibility - Introduced written and verbal instruction options - Implemented structured feedback systems - Added visual aids for complex processes     3.   Adaptive Scheduling - Flexible work hours - Remote work options - Designated decompression areas   Living with cerebral palsy taught me this:   When you design for accessibility, you create excellence for everyone. The most successful companies aren't just accepting differences - they're leveraging them.   The India Autism Center has been pioneering this transformation, offering guidance to companies ready to embrace change.   The question isn't whether to create autism-friendly workplaces.   It's why haven't we done it sooner?   #asksumit   #iac

Happy Global Accessibility Awareness Day everyone! It's a great day to remind people, that, accessibility is the responsibility of the whole team, including designers! A couple of things designers can do: - Use sufficient color contrast (text + UI elements) and don’t rely on color alone to convey meaning. - Ensure readable typography: support text resizing, avoid hard-to-read styles, maintain hierarchy. - Make links and buttons clear and distinguishable (label, size, states). - Design accessible forms: clear labels, error help, no duplicate input, document states. - Support keyboard navigation: tab order, skip links, focus indicators, keyboard interaction. - Structure content with headings and landmarks: use proper H1–Hn, semantic order, regions. - Provide text alternatives for images, icons, audio, and video. - Avoid motion triggers: respect reduced motion settings, allow pause on auto-play. - Design with flexibility: support orientation change, allow text selection, avoid fixed-height elements. - Document accessibly and communicate: annotate designs, collaborate with devs, QA, and content teams. Need to learn more? I got a couple of resources on my blog: - A Designer’s Guide to Documenting Accessibility & User Interactions: https://lnkd.in/eUh8Jvvn - How to check and document design accessibility in your mockups: a conference on how to use Figma plugins and annotation kits to shift accessibility left https://lnkd.in/eu8YuWyF - Accessibility for designer: where do I start? Articles, resources, checklists, tools, plugins, and books to design accessible products https://lnkd.in/ejeC_QpH - Neurodiversity and UX: Essential Resources for Cognitive Accessibility, Guidelines to understand and design for Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Autism and ADHD https://lnkd.in/efXaRwgF - Color accessibility: tools and resources to help you design inclusive products https://lnkd.in/dRrwFJ5 #Accessibility #ShiftLeft #GAAD

Worried about making accessibility changes causing pushback? Here’s why: You’re focusing on bare minimum compliance rather than creating true inclusivity. Try this instead: ● Conduct regular accessibility audits to identify barriers ● Collaborate directly with people with disabilities for authentic feedback ● Implement changes that go beyond compliance to enhance usability for all Do this consistently. Become obsessed with the process and applying it. ● Study accessible design principles and stay updated ● Share what you’ve learned with your team and network ● Help other organizations understand how to implement meaningful accessibility practices No matter the industry, the lesson remains the same: accessibility isn’t a box to check; it’s a commitment to making everyone feel valued and included.

🧠 Is Your Workplace Designed for Everyone—Or Just the Majority? 👀 Imagine this: A brilliant new hire is ready to contribute—but the tools, meetings, and environment weren’t built with their needs in mind. They’re not underperforming. They’re under-accommodated. ➡️ And this is exactly where universal design comes in. 💡Universal design is not about making special exceptions. It’s about building inclusion into the very foundation of your workplace. When we design with everyone in mind from the start, regardless of ability, background, or communication style, we don’t just accommodate; we empower. This approach transforms workplaces from reactive to proactive, from surface-level compliance to deep systemic inclusion. And here’s the truth many leaders are realizing: 👉 👉 True inclusion isn’t about making room—it’s about designing a workplace where no one is ever left out to begin with. 🛠️ Below are 5 ways to start embedding universal design into your organization: ✅ Audit accessibility – Regularly evaluate your digital tools, websites, and physical workspaces. ✅ Invest in inclusive technology – Use platforms that work seamlessly with screen readers, voice input, and other assistive tools. ✅ Diversify communication – Incorporate alt-text, audio descriptions, and transcripts; avoid relying solely on visuals. ✅ Train your teams – Equip staff and leaders with practical tools and mindsets that promote inclusion. ✅ Institutionalize it – Update hiring practices, performance reviews, and promotion paths to reflect inclusive values. 🧠 These changes don’t just benefit one group—they improve the experience for everyone—and that is the brilliance of universal design. 🏆 The Payoff: Equity that drives engagement and innovation. Organizations that embrace universal design consistently see: ✔️ Higher employee satisfaction ✔️ Better team collaboration ✔️ Greater innovation (because diverse perspectives are heard and valued) ✔️ Lower turnover and higher retention 🔥 The hidden cost of exclusion isn’t just about morale—it’s about missed potential, lost innovation, and the quiet departure of voices we never truly heard. When systems, tools, and environments aren’t built with inclusion in mind, we don’t just create inconvenience—we create barriers. And those barriers silently push away the very talent we say we want to attract and retain. Universal design flips that script. It ensures that everyone, not just the majority, can participate, contribute, and thrive from day one. 🎓 Ready to Take Action? Start With Our Signature Workshop “Working with Diverse Physical and Mental Ability.” 📩 Message me to learn how we can bring this powerful session to your team. #UniversalDesign #InclusiveWorkplaces #ChampionDiverseVoices #Neurodiversity #BelongingByDesign #AccessibilityMatters

As an Anaesthetist, long operating lists are inevitable. But as a Lifestyle Medicine physician, I couldn’t be more excited about this small win: a standing desk in theatre! 🏥💪 We spend hours in the OR — often in static positions that leave us stiff, fatigued, and fighting poor posture. This simple ergonomic shift changes that. Standing allows for: ✅ Reduced sedentary time — The landmark 2022 BMJ trial with 756 participants showed sit-stand desks reduce sitting by 64 minutes daily at 12 months, with sustained benefits throughout the year (Edwardson et al., 2022) ✅ Better musculoskeletal health — Systematic reviews show significant reductions in upper back, neck, and shoulder discomfort, with early studies reporting up to 54% reduction in pain (Pronk et al., 2012; Agarwal et al., 2018) ✅ Improved cardiovascular function — A 24-week study found standing desks improved femoral artery flow-mediated dilation by 65% and reduced insulin resistance by 23%, independent of weight change (Bodker et al., 2021) ✅ Enhanced cognitive performance — Contrary to concerns, research shows standing doesn’t impair work performance and may actually improve executive function and work engagement (Mehta et al., 2016; Finch et al., 2017) 🧠 ✅ Long-term health protection — Breaking up prolonged sitting is independently associated with reduced all-cause mortality risk, with those sitting 11+ hours daily facing 40% higher mortality (van der Ploeg et al., 2012) If we’re going to advocate for our patients’ health, we need to model it ourselves. 💚 Small, intentional changes in our work environment add up even in the most demanding settings. Interestingly, healthcare professionals remain dramatically understudied only one peer-reviewed study exists examining standing desks specifically for physicians, despite the fact that over 50% of primary care work involves sedentary EHR documentation. This needs to change. 📊 What ergonomic hacks have helped you in your clinical practice? 💬👇 #LifestyleMedicine #WorkplaceWellbeing #Anaesthesia #PhysicianWellbeing #Ergonomics #MovementIsMedicine #HealthcareInnovation #DoctorsOfLinkedIn #EvidenceBasedMedicine

Spinal deformities are structural abnormalities of the spine that can affect posture, mobility, and overall function. These deformities may be congenital, developmental, or acquired due to conditions like poor posture, neuromuscular disorders, osteoporosis, or trauma. The three most common types of spinal deformities are: Types of Spinal Deformities ✅ Scoliosis – A lateral (side-to-side) curvature of the spine, often in an "S" or "C" shape. Common in adolescents and may lead to postural imbalances. ✅ Kyphosis – An excessive forward curvature of the upper spine (hunchback appearance). Often seen in osteoporotic elderly individuals or due to poor posture. ✅ Lordosis – An exaggerated inward curve of the lower back, often linked to weak core muscles, obesity, or postural habits. Physiotherapy Management of Spinal Deformities The goal of physiotherapy is to improve posture, strengthen muscles, and prevent further progression of deformities. 1. Postural Correction & Education ✅ Ergonomic adjustments for sitting, standing, and daily activities. ✅ Core strengthening exercises to maintain spinal stability. 2. Strengthening & Stretching Exercises ✅ Scoliosis: Stretching tight muscles on one side and strengthening weak muscles on the other. ✅ Kyphosis: Strengthening upper back muscles and stretching chest muscles. ✅ Lordosis: Strengthening abdominal & gluteal muscles while stretching hip flexors & lower back muscles. 3. Manual Therapy & Joint Mobilization ✅ Soft tissue release & spinal mobilization to relieve stiffness and improve flexibility. ✅ Myofascial release techniques to reduce muscle tightness. 4. Bracing & Supportive Devices ✅ Bracing in moderate-to-severe scoliosis cases to prevent progression. ✅ Postural taping for awareness and correction. 5. Functional Training & Balance Exercises ✅ Proprioception exercises for spinal control. ✅ Pilates & Yoga for flexibility and core stability.