The office working group of the professional association for ergonomics, VerV, has drawn up a practical guideline for office design. The result is a consensus on a number of principles regarding working in the office:
Every employee has the right to an adjustable workplace and to the choice between standing and sitting work.
This principle amounts to a sit-stand desk as standard for every office worker. The recommendation is that the sitting posture should be interrupted every 30 minutes.
For concentrated work, there must always be the possibility to work in a quiet zone.
Concentrated work should be carried out in a closed room for one person or in a quiet zone for several people where consultation and telephony are not permitted.
Anyone present at the same location 4 days a week has the right to their own workplace.
This guideline goes against flexible working as standard. People look for their own spot. Lack of privacy, in addition to noise, is the biggest annoyance in an open-plan office. For those who are in the office almost every day, their own basic workplace is the recommendation.
Every employee must be able to move for at least 45 minutes a day during working hours.
Alternating sitting with standing is a good idea. Even better is to alternate with movement. That is why the "dynamics ratio" was introduced. For every 8 workplaces, one should be dynamically seated by means of an exercise bike, stability ball, balance board, etc... Standing consultations also fall under this.
Telework is also VDU work. Ergonomics at home is a shared responsibility.
Anyone who systematically teleworks needs an ergonomic workplace. The employer provides the necessary equipment for this, but the employee also contributes by providing a separate space and proper furniture and by varying tasks and posture.
More information: https://verv.webnode.nl/_files/200000750-597b3597b7/Praktijkrichtlijn%20Kantoorinrichting%20(vernieuwd).pdf
source: Sentral - VERV
