We know it’s expensive to run a business, making embarking on an office redesign project all the more financially intimidating. Understanding the return on investment (ROI) of ergonomic design decisions is important to help you make the best decision for your business.
Ergonomic design delivers measurable returns through reduced healthcare costs, increased productivity, and improved employee retention. The long-term financial benefits of a solid office design may surprise you in a good way.
The ROI of Ergonomic Design
When your employees complain about back pain, eye strain, or fatigue, they're signaling a deeper business problem. Poor workplace ergonomics costs U.S. employers an estimated average of around $45-$54 billion annually in workers' compensation claims, lost productivity, and turnover expenses. According to HumanScale, ROI for ergonomic design projects often amounts to $3–$15 per dollar spent. That’s not insignificant. It’s time that organizations recognize ergonomic design as a strategic investment rather than an optional expense.
|
ROI Category |
Estimated Average Annual Savings |
Typical Payback Period |
Key Metrics |
|
Productivity Increase |
$1,200-$2,400 per employee |
3-6 months |
May improve output by 10-15% |
|
Healthcare Cost Reduction |
$800-$1,500 per employee |
6-12 months |
Could lead to up to 40% fewer MSDs |
|
Workers' Compensation |
$600-$1,200 per employee |
12-18 months |
Might reduce claims by up to 58% |
|
Reduced Turnover |
$5,000-$15,000 per retained employee |
12-24 months |
Could improve retention up to 25% |
|
Absenteeism Prevention |
$400-$800 per employee |
6-12 months |
Could save up to 2-4 sick days per employee |
|
Presenteeism Reduction |
$1,000-$2,000 per employee |
6-18 months |
Might offer about a 20% engagement boost |
Check out our ergonomic design guide.
Calculating ROI for Ergonomic Design Projects
When calculating the ROI of ergonomic design, there are a number of factors you’ll have to consider. You’ll have to consider both direct and indirect costs to truly assess the added value of ergonomic solutions. To assess those costs, you’ll have to start tracking these expenses and frequently reviewing other metrics. We’ve broken them down below.
- Direct costs include PTO, workers' compensation, and medical expenses when your workforce is injured on the job and can no longer perform their typical functions.
- Indirect costs include employee turnover, absenteeism, and lost productivity.
Once you have a handle on your metrics, you can use the formula below to see the change in your business costs before and after redesign.
(Injury cost (pre-intervention) – Injury cost (post-intervention)) - cost of intervention = Total cost of savings
It’s Not Just About the Money
The ROI of ergonomic design isn’t just in dollars and cents. Here are four key benefits you’ll see in your workforce almost immediately.
1. Less stress and fatigue
Ergonomic desk chairs and workstations reduce physical strain from repetitive motion. Herman Miller and the MillerKnoll family of brands have a decades-long legacy of crafting furniture pieces that offer excellent back, neck, and wrist support. When used correctly, these pieces make it more comfortable to work for long periods of time, reducing the frequency of carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, back pain, and other repetitive motion injuries.
Ergonomic chairs mean fewer injuries and absences that affect your insurance premiums, medical claims, and other lost productivity costs.
2. Increased productivity and efficiency
Similar to reducing stress and fatigue, ergonomic task stations can improve productivity. When employees feel more comfortable at their desks, they spend less time walking around the office, adjusting their position, or calling out due to chronic pain issues.
Studies show that ergonomic design can improve performance by as much as 15% while enhancing productivity by an impressive 17.5%.
3. Enhanced employee satisfaction
Think about Google in its heyday. It seemed like every magazine had a front page feature heralding the innovative, attractive, and thoughtfully designed office where employees could tap into their childlike creativity and feel motivated by work every single day. These offices attracted the best and the brightest, and Google created a work culture that other technology companies have sought to emulate for years.
While not every office culture aligns with Google’s perspective, surveying your employees to discover their pain points and priorities can allow you to implement those details into an ergonomic office design that keeps them wanting to come to work. Happy employees do better work - an obvious return on investment.
4. Improved retention and recruitment
The three earlier points compound to improve your overall retention and recruitment. When your satisfied employees sing your company’s praises in their network, other top talent is bound to catch wind of it and want to work with you. This word of mouth and improved retention can free up resources, allowing you to spend less money on recruitment for unfilled positions.
We’ll Deliver Excellent ROI For Ergonomic Design Projects
The business case for ergonomic design extends far beyond employee comfort. It represents a strategic investment in organizational performance and sustainability. Companies implementing comprehensive ergonomic programs consistently achieve a solid ROI while building more resilient, productive workforces.
Smart organizations recognize that ergonomic design isn't a luxury expense but a fundamental business requirement in today's competitive marketplace. The question isn't whether you can afford to invest in ergonomics, but whether you can afford not to.
Benhar Office Interiors can help you create an ergonomic office design that supports your workforce for years to come.
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