Two decades ago, it was estimated that less than 25% of the office workers have access to a computer. Today, almost everyone in the office have their own workstation with a computer. Without a computer, an employee will never be productive or could fully function. Everything today is done with the computer so access to a computer is very important.

Employers however, just do not have to place the computer in front of their employees and expect them to be fully productive. As they might be sitting in the same chair and staring at the computer almost eight hours a day, the employers should make sure that each computer setting should be ergonomically designed.

If you are an employee working in a small business setting, you might be encountering a situation wherein your work station is just too bad for your posture or to your eyes. Even by yourself, you can easily change your place to be ergonomically designed by following certain formulas for a healthier workstation.

Chair – Your feet should not completely fall flat in the floor. The chair should be adjusted to a height where you can rest your feet on the floor while giving enough space for your feet to move and sway. A good practical measurement is to sit in the chair and slowly rotate your ankles. If you can touch the floor while bending your ankles in comfort, that is the correct height of the chair. An adjustable footrest is highly recommended for support.

Keyboard Positioning – Your wrist should not bend while you are typing. Do not place your keyboard too close as that will be uncomfortable for your elbows and arms. If you are a speed typist, it is very important to have a very comfortable position and keyboard positioning is very important.

Computer Screen – Never let the computer screen placed directly in front of your eye. Not only that its radiation will affect you (no matter how small it is), it is also very uncomfortable for the eyes. Place the computer screen just below your eyes so that the light will not go directly to your face.

Lights – Place the lights at the side of your computer and not directly on top of it. The computer might never feel where it is lighted but you will eventually notice the difference as the light is passed on to illuminate the keyboard and the computer screen and not your face.

Office Files/Documents/Equipments – Your document holder, pens, documents and other equipments should be located within an arms reach. The document holder should be placed in a position where you will not be required to twist too much.

Time Spent in Front of your Computer – Do not stare at your computer screen for more than an hour continuously. You must look away from the screen and work on other things at least five to ten minutes every hour. Aside from moving your eyes away, you should also stretch your muscles as you have been sitting there for nearly an hour.

Be sure to ergonomically design your office space and rest a little bit in between computer related assignments. This will not only help you work better but also feel better all the times at your workstation.