Scientist warns against constant work from home: it actually hurts your health

According to Aurelijus Domeika, Head of the Biomechatronics Laboratory at the KTU Mechatronics Institute, although employers have long been working to ensure a healthier work environment, with the introduction of universal quarantine, problems related to our health have begun to spread. increase.

“During the quarantine period, the physical activity of all of us decreased, leading to an increase in the number of chronic back and joint diseases. Although quarantine is temporary, in the world this situation is related to the greater number of jobs sitting at home. As a result, part of people’s movements become monotonous, their diversity decreases and, at the same time, general physical activity decreases, “says A. Domeika in a press release.

To solve these problems, KTU intends to open the M-Lab Center for Experimental and Prototyping Sciences in Physical and Technological Sciences in 2022, which will focus on the work environment and human well-being and productivity research.

The results of the work depend on the environment.

Studies show that sedentary work can cause health problems if a person is not physically active enough. According to the Eurobarometer, 46% Europeans say they are not physically active and 14% infrequently sports.

“Recently, several Lithuanian companies have started to take care of the health of their employees: ergonomic workplaces are created for them and physical activity is encouraged. It is also called to abandon harmful habits, to adjust eating habits, “says A. Domeika.

In one of the 9 laboratories of the M-Lab Center, DAIGAS LAB, equipment will be developed to help control human health. The primary vision is to develop equipment and tools that ensure a healthier workspace, reduce the risk of chronic disease, and increase work productivity.

“Such equipment could be used remotely at home or in the office. In the laboratory, we will develop not only monitoring, but also smart technologies for the prevention of injuries and chronic diseases, which will help guarantee a healthier workspace for people and increase their physical activity and improve the quality of life, “he says. the investigator.

“In Scandinavian countries, much attention and funds are paid to a healthy work environment. More ergonomic work equipment is used, employee health is cared for and health promotion in the workplace. Good health of employees is related to many factors: emotional state, job satisfaction, ergonomic work conditions. The environment that surrounds us at work has a great impact not only on results and productivity, but also on overall employee satisfaction ” says A. Domeika.

Rare have good working conditions at home.

In the future, the need for remote measures to ensure a healthier work environment will increase, making it important to respond to these needs.

“I think that in the future there will be more employers who will encourage employees to work remotely in part, because in some cases the outcome is not affected, and telecommuting may also be one of the motivational measures. However, in In my opinion, it should be possible for the employee to go to the workplace if necessary, ”says the interlocutor.

However, A. Domeika points out that the home space is seldom adapted for permanent work. According to him, the problems that arose during the pandemic slightly adjusted the planned activities in the Daigas LAB laboratory that operates in the center of the M-Lab laboratory, so part of the research planned in the laboratory will focus not only on improving the environment. working in the office but also at home.

“Biomechanical and physiological research will be carried out, such as the analysis of various movements and postures, health research, research on muscular and brain activity. They will be designed to identify the links between physical well-being and work capacity and to help people who work both in offices and remotely to reduce the risk of developing chronic illness or injury, “explains A. Domeika.

The results of laboratory tests will allow the study of different human reactions to different environments or media.

Motivate when choosing a job.

According to A. Domeika, leisure, gastronomy or recreation areas can be found with increasing frequency in newly built offices, which directly contributes to better employee health and psychological well-being.

“When a person in the workplace can find everything they need during the workday, they will feel better. I think that environment really has a positive effect on the quality of work. For example, I have heard comments from IT specialists: To attract great employees, employers try not only to be interested in high wages, but also to motivate them by creating a welcoming and healthy work environment, ”says A. Domeika.

He emphasizes that the environment is a common factor influencing workplace choices: “It is not just wages that determine the choice of the workplace: the environment must be comfortable and healthy.”