Irritable Desk Syndrome

Researchers have come up with a new affliction to add to the list of woes endured by the modern office worker - Irritable Desk Syndrome.

Poor posture, cluttered desks and hours spent working on the computer can damaging the health of office staff, according to research carried out for NEC-Mitsubishi.

The problem is exacerbated by the length of time people spend at their desks - two thirds of those questioned said that they are more tied to their desks now than they were two years ago.

As a result, more than a third of office workers said they suffered from back or neck pain because of sitting at their desk in an awkward position.

One in three also said that they now ate lunch at their desk, a habit which, as we reported last week, brings its own health hazards since the average desk plays host to 400 times more germs than a lavatory seat.

"Extra desk-time coupled with more paper and clutter, poor desk set-up, bad eating habits and fewer breaks is creating a new threat to productive office-life in the form of Irritable Desk Syndrome," the research claimed.

Pete's Points

Published in 2004 it is amazing that nothing really much has been heard about this research or indeed the consequences for both employees and employers resulting from spending even longer hours at work

Amazingly in June 2006 the following was also published by Nic Paton:

Working from home may have become almost a mainstream activity in today's modern workplace but, increasingly, workers are also taking their home into work, according to a new British survey.

For time poor, commute heavy workers the notion of "home-ing from work" is becoming more attractive and commonplace, argued the research by recruitment agency Office Angels.

Lack of time, traffic clogged commuter journeys and hectic workloads are the main reasons why tasks traditionally completed at home are increasingly encroaching on the work environment, it said.

From showering and putting on make-up to paying household bills and sorting out our social life, it seems the office is a home away from home more than ever before.

The poll of 1,600 workers found that nearly three quarters of women hoarded a stash of make-up in their desk drawer, while a third did not hesitate to put it on in front of colleagues.

More than a quarter regularly applied their mascara en route to work – either on the train, tube or even in the driver's seat.

More than six out of 10 women and nearly a third of men keep a mini-wardrobe at work – with formal suits on stand-by for unexpected meetings, and for women, an average of two pairs of shoes kept under the desk.

A total of eight per cent shower in the office before they start the working day, while 22 per cent do a regular "office shop" each week – stocking up on breakfast cereals and sandwich ingredients.

A third only keep in touch with friends during work time, using email to organise their social lives.

A further quarter admit to relying on instant messenger for a daily natter with absent friends or family.

From arranging a haircut, to booking the car in for its MOT, 87 per workers use work-time to sort out personal chores, concluded Office Angels.

Paul Jacobs, Office Angels managing director, said: "People tend to enjoy work more when they're allowed to bring a touch of their personal life into their office space, but it's essential employers get the balance right when it comes to setting ground rules about the encroachment of home into the workplace.

"Too many home comforts can create a 'schizophrenic' office, provoking tension amongst colleagues who prefer a more defined working environment," he added.

This was a point backed up by the research, which highlighted problem areas where employees were getting a little too relaxed.

Nearly seven out of ten workers admitted to having been irritated by a neighbouring colleague's annoying 'home-ing' habits.

These included visiting children or pets in the workplace (18 per cent), loud or embarrassing personal phone conversations (45 per cent), festering gym kits left under desks (16 per cent) and being choked by deodorant or overpowering perfume (9 per cent).

Jacobs said: "While it's important people are comfortable in the office environment, it should never be at the expense of fellow colleagues.

"Like anything, apply a bit of common sense before you start importing the contents of your bathroom to office loo," he added.

Add to this the reality that is John Howard's new set of IR policies and you have a recipe where the Treasurer's injunction to workers to have children - "one for mum, one for dad and one for the country" becomes a recipe for a highly dangerous new life of virtual slavery to the new gods of money and productivity.

How long will people put up with all of this and when will they realise that they are shortening their life? Of course when they do realise what it really means to them what can or will they do about it?

Sometimes I think it is a good thing to be retired and ill. At least these are issues that I will no longer have to confront.