Let’s talk about what ergonomics isn’t. Why Your “Ergonomic” Chair Might Be Lying to You
Let’s clear something up: ergonomics is one of the most misunderstood and misused words in the modern workplace. You’ve seen the labels—ergonomic mouse, ergonomic chair, ergonomic keyboard—as if simply slapping that word on a product magically makes it safe, comfortable, and supportive for everyone.
Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. So, What Is Ergonomics?
As someone who’s worked in the field of human factors and ergonomics for over 20 years, let’s start with the real definition. According to the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES):
“Human factors and ergonomics is concerned with the application of what we know about people—their abilities, characteristics and limitations—to the design of products they use, environments in which they live and work, and jobs they perform. The goal is to reduce human error, increase productivity, and enhance safety, comfort, and enjoyment.”
My graduate textbook, Introduction to Ergonomics by R.S. Bridger, puts it like this:
“Ergonomics is concerned with the design of systems in which people carry out work… ensuring that human needs for safe and efficient working are met in the design of worksystems.”
In simpler terms: I define ergonomics as “safe work.” It’s about designing jobs, tools, and environments that fit you—not forcing you to fit them.
Why “Ergonomic” Products Miss the Mark Let’s take the so-called ergonomic mouse. You might think it’s designed to be good for everyone’s hand. But what you actually have is a mouse that just happens to fit your hand—if you’re lucky.
And here’s the issue: people come in all shapes and sizes. What works for one person might not work for another. So how can a mouse—or any single product—be “ergonomic” for everyone?
It can’t. And that’s the point.
Even Dictionary.com Gets It Wrong Out of curiosity, I looked up the definition of ergonomics on dictionary.com. Here’s what it said:
“Designed to be comfortable, safe, and efficient to use, especially in or as a work environment.”
Example: “These headphones have an ergonomic design and soft ear cups.” Akkk! Even the dictionary is promoting the misuse of the word. Who’s doing the research over there?
This isn’t just nitpicking. When we dilute the meaning of ergonomics, we overlook what it’s really about: protecting people from injury, improving performance, and supporting individual needs.
Ergonomics Fits the Person—Not the Product Let’s say you buy an “ergonomic chair.” But after a week, your back still hurts. So what went wrong?
That chair might have features—adjustable height, lumbar support, tilt—but it wasn’t selected or adjusted for your body and your posture. Without the proper fit and setup, it’s just another chair with a marketing label.
This is where my job comes in. As an ergonomist, I assess how your body interacts with your workspace. I help fit you to the tools and environment you use—not the other way around.
The Bottom Line Ergonomics is not a chair. It’s not a mouse. It’s not a product.
It’s a process—a personalized approach to making work safe, healthy, and efficient.
So the next time you see the word “ergonomic” on a box, ask yourself: Does this actually support my body and how I work? Or is it just a one-size-fits-all solution disguised as something more?
Real ergonomics is about you—your size, your shape, your work.
Let’s stop falling for labels and start designing for humans.
Let me know if you’d like to include a call to action, like inviting readers to schedule a consultation or ergonomic assessment!
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think much about how you use your mouse — but mousing is one of the most repetitive tasks we do at work.
Let’s break it down:
How many hours a day are you working? 8? 10?
Now divide that in half — that’s a rough estimate of how many hours a day you might be using your mouse.
And for people in roles like CAD operators, graphic designers, or software developers? That number could be even higher.
But here’s the key question:
👉 How are you mousing?
What’s the position of your arm? Your wrist? Your shoulder?
These are the questions I think about when I observe how people interact with their workstations — because small adjustments can make a big difference in reducing strain and preventing injury
Watch this quick video I made on how to mouse in a more neutral position.
It’s just a few minutes and could save you (or your team) hours of discomfort.
Remote, Hybrid or In-Office – Your Employees’ Health Matters!
Last month at GOSH, I had the opportunity to present on New Trends in Office Ergonomics. The key takeaway? While the workplace may be evolving, our goal remains the same: reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and support employee well-being.
Working from Home: New Challenges More people are working remotely than ever:
22 million U.S. employees now work from home full-time
They report less stress than hybrid or in-office employees
But there is a catch, there is an increased level of fatigue seen at 42%
(from: Wellbeing under lockdown, Occupational Health at work)
What This Means for Your Business Employees are working from everywhere: hotels, cars, airports, cafes—you name it. While flexibility is great, it introduces new ergonomic risks, especially with frequent mobile device use.
So, how are you supporting your team?
✔️ Offering stipends for home office setups?
✔️ Providing ergonomic chairs, desks, and peripherals?
✔️ Setting up docking stations with external monitors?
That’s a great start—but the real difference comes from training. I’ve seen it firsthand: even high-quality adjustable equipment can cause harm if it’s not used correctly.
Are your employees:
Trained to set up their workspace to match their neutral posture?
Using adjustable chairs and desks properly?
Aware of how to set up their workstation every time they come into the office?
Planning to Move to Shared Workspaces? Then it’s even more critical. Shared cubes require:
Adjustable furniture for employees with different physique’s (shorter and taller folk)
Training on how to personalize each setup to fit their physique, EACH and EVERY TIME they come into the office, to maintain neutral posture and avoid strain and discomfort
The Future of Work Is Flexible – And So Should Your Ergonomics BeWhether at home, on the go, or in the office, employees need to understand how to work in ways that support their body—every single time.
Are You Investing in Employee Well-being? I’d love to support your team with practical guidance and ergonomic best practices.
[Let’s Talk Ergonomics] Contact me with any ergonomic needs.
I didn’t start my career as an ergonomist—I became one because of a personal journey that changed my life. Years ago, as a graphic designer, I developed multiple repetitive strain injuries: tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, carpal tunnel, and de Quervain’s syndrome. The pain was relentless. I tried every treatment I could find—massage, acupuncture, physical therapy, you name it—but nothing worked.
As the injuries took over, I was forced to walk away from my design career. That’s when I realized: I don’t want anyone else to go through this.
I decided to pivot, go back to school, and earn my master’s in Human Factors and Ergonomics from San Jose State University. My mission became clear: Help others stay healthy, avoid injury, and thrive in their work.
💡 Ergonomics isn’t just about fixing problems—it’s about preventing them. It’s about keeping healthy people healthy before pain ever starts. If you’ve recently changed roles, transitioned to working from home, or haven’t had an ergonomic check-up in a while, you’re the exact person I want to help.
🔑 Your health is your most valuable asset. Waiting for pain to set in before addressing ergonomics is a mistake I don’t want you to make. I’ve lived through it, and trust me—prevention is key!
For the past 20 years, I’ve been working with individuals and teams to improve their health, productivity, and long-term well-being through proper ergonomic practices.
💬 If you’re ready to prioritize your health and boost your productivity, let’s talk. Send me a DM and let’s chat about how I can help you stay healthy for the long haul!
👉 Leaning too far forward while you’re focused on your work? That could be putting unnecessary strain on your lower back.
👉 Sitting too far back in your chair? That may be why your neck feels tight by the end of the day.
It’s easy to fall into habits that don’t serve our bodies, especially when we’re deep in our work. But here’s the key: a balanced sitting posture can make a world of difference in how you feel throughout the day. When you sit properly, you’re not just improving your comfort – you’re boosting your productivity and well-being too.
💡 Quick tip: Adjust your posture so your feet are flat on the ground, your lower back is supported, and your head is aligned with your spine. Notice the difference?
If you’re feeling fatigued or sore at the end of the workday, it might be time to check in on your ergonomics. Let’s talk about how to make your workspace work better for you.
Feel free to reach out for a personalized assessment – your body will thank you later! 🙌
Is Your Company Prepared to Prevent Costly Workplace Injuries?
Don’t wait for an injury to happen.
It’s more than just numbers on a spreadsheet—it’s the well-being of people you care about. The impact of even one workplace injury can be overwhelming—not just for your employees, but for your business too. But here’s the good news: You can protect your team and your bottom line with a proactive ergonomic program.
Why Prevention Pays Off
Think about this: A single ergonomic injury, like a sprain, can end up costing more than $64,000 when you add up all the direct and indirect costs. Here’s what that looks like:
Now, let’s compare that to the cost of evaluating your entire team:
For a Company of 50 Employees: $12,500
For a Company of 100 Employees: $25,000
For just a fraction of the cost of one injury, you can safeguard your entire workforce.
Evaluate your entire team for …
1/3 of the direct costs
1/6 of the total costs (direct and indirect)
1/170 of the total costs, including additional sales
Ergonomics pays for itself. Prevention works.
Prevention works to keep healthy people healthy and to help injured workers get well and be productive.
I’ve always believed that taking care of people is the foundation of any successful business. That’s why I’m so passionate about ergonomic programs—they’re not just about avoiding costs; they’re about creating a safer, healthier environment where everyone can thrive. The numbers speak for themselves:
61% reduction in workplace musculoskeletal disorders
88% reduction in lost workdays
(Source: Goggins, RW, Spielholz, P, Nothstein, GL (2008). Estimating the effectiveness of ergonomics interventions through case studies: implications for predictive cost-benefit analysis.)
Those aren’t just statistics—they’re stories of people who didn’t have to suffer, companies that didn’t have to struggle, and teams that stayed strong and connected.
Let’s Walk this Path Together
I know it can be hard to take that first step toward something new, especially when it feels like there’s so much else to manage. Don’t wait until your team is hurting—reach out, and let’s talk about how we can create a safer, healthier workplace together.
Prevent fires before they start. Your team’s well-being—and your peace of mind—are worth it.
