From the air we breathe to the surfaces we touch, our everyday workplace can quietly influence both our physical and mental wellbeing, warns Dr Vikram Vora.
As a health consultant working with several large and medium-sized organisations with multiple offices and large workforces, it has always intrigued me that many people consider offices one of the safest places to work.
This perception comes from the fact that there is no heavy machinery, hazardous chemicals or physically demanding work involved.
Yet, office environments expose employees to a unique set of health risks that often go unnoticed.
From the air we breathe to the surfaces we touch, our everyday workplace can quietly influence both our physical and mental wellbeing.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
One of the biggest challenges in office buildings is poor indoor air quality.
Most offices rely on centralised air-conditioning systems, which can be highly effective when the right filters are used and properly maintained.
However, poorly serviced systems can accumulate dust, fungal spores, bacteria and other airborne contaminants which may then circulate throughout the workplace.
Older or less efficient ventilation systems can also allow carbon dioxide levels to rise in areas with a high concentration of employees, leading to headaches, fatigue, reduced concentration and afternoon sluggishness.
Employees may also experience eye irritation, a dry or scratchy throat, nasal congestion or worsening allergies.
There is even a name for a collection of such symptoms -- Sick Building Syndrome, where people experience discomfort while inside a building, with symptoms improving soon after they leave.
Regular maintenance of HVAC systems, proper fresh air exchange, monitoring of indoor air quality and humidity control can help create a healthier office environment.
Eye Strain, Digital Fatigue
Many workplaces continue to use fluorescent lighting.
While modern lighting has improved significantly, prolonged exposure to harsh, poorly positioned or flickering lights may contribute to eye strain, headaches and visual fatigue, particularly among employees who spend long hours in front of computer screens -- which means almost everyone!
Combined with excessive screen time, inadequate lighting can disrupt visual comfort and contribute to digital eye strain.
One simple solution is to follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This can help reduce eye fatigue.
Germs, Workplace Infections
The average office desk can be home to thousands of microorganisms.
Frequently touched surfaces such as keyboards, computer mice, telephones, lift buttons, shared printers and conference room equipment can easily become reservoirs for viruses and bacteria.
Respiratory infections such as influenza, COVID-19 and the common cold, as well as illnesses such as viral gastroenteritis, can spread rapidly in workplaces where people work in close proximity.
Presenteeism -- coming to work while ill -- often contributes more to the spread of disease than absenteeism.
Simple habits such as frequent handwashing, regular cleaning of shared equipment, practising good respiratory etiquette and staying home when unwell can significantly reduce the spread of infections in the workplace.
Canteen Hygiene
Office cafeterias may be convenient but food safety should never be taken for granted.
Improper food storage, inadequate refrigeration, poor hand hygiene among food handlers or cross-contamination during preparation can result in food-borne illnesses.
Those in charge of the cafeteria should ensure that hot foods are served hot, cold foods remain cold and perishable meals are not left unrefrigerated for prolonged periods.
Organisations should also regularly audit cafeteria hygiene standards and ensure that food vendors comply with established food safety regulations.
Regular health and hygiene checks for kitchen and service staff are equally important.
Sitting Is The New Smoking
Diseases are not the only risk. One of the greatest occupational hazards in modern offices is prolonged sitting.
Sedentary behaviour is associated with obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic back pain and poor metabolic health -- even among those who exercise regularly outside working hours. After all, being fit and being healthy is not necessarily the same thing!
Try to stand, stretch or walk for a few minutes every 30 to 60 minutes. Standing workstations, walking meetings and encouraging the use of stairs can also help reduce sedentary time.
Stress, Burnout, Mental Wellbeing
Not all workplace hazards are physical. High workloads, constant digital connectivity, excessive meetings, workplace conflict and blurred boundaries between work and personal life can all contribute to chronic stress and burnout.
Over time, these factors can affect concentration, sleep quality, immunity and overall wellbeing.
Creating healthier workplaces requires collaboration between employers and employees.
Clean air, safe food, ergonomic workspaces, infection prevention, regular movement and attention to mental wellbeing are not luxuries; they are absolute essentials.
An office that looks safe may still be quietly accumulating health risks. It is only when we recognise these risks that we can take steps to mitigate them and help protect employees' long-term health and wellbeing.
Dr Vikram Vora is the medical director-consulting solutions, Indian subcontinent and the Middle East, at International SOS.
He has more than two decades of experience in occupational health, preventive medicine and workplace wellbeing. He works with organisations to promote employee health and manage health risks in the workplace.
Disclaimer: All content and media herein is written and published online for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It should not be relied on as your only source for advice.
Please always seek the guidance of your doctor or a qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Do not ever disregard the advice of a medical professional, or delay in seeking it because of something you have read herein.
If you believe you may have a medical or mental health emergency, please call your doctor, go to the nearest hospital, or call emergency services or emergency helplines immediately. If you choose to rely on any information provided herein, you do so solely at your own risk.
