Ergonomics
Microsoft is committed to helping our teams maintain safe, healthy, and comfortable ways to perform their jobs by understanding the importance of ergonomics and providing resources employees can use to prevent MSDs.
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- How it works
- Who’s eligible
- Ergonomics FAQs
Ergonomics refers to the science and process of designing tasks, workspaces, and equipment to best accommodate workers and limit stress and strain on the human body. This includes all types of workspaces including but not limited to traditional offices, home offices, laboratories, and datacenters, as well as locations workers occupy temporarily while in transit or in the field on assignment.
Proper ergonomics is important in preventing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) or alleviating MSD symptoms caused by repeated movements of the body over time or remaining in the same position for extended periods of time. By proactively addressing risk factors, employees can lessen muscle fatigue, reduce stress, and minimize discomfort. Some MSD risk factors that workers may be exposed to include working in awkward positions, using improperly adjusted workstations, lifting heavy objects, and bending or reaching overhead.
We believe that optimizing the relationship between people and their physical working environment is important to worker health and reducing the occurrence of disorders. To the best of our ability, we strive to adapt the work environment to fit the way people work rather than asking workers to adapt to a challenging physical environment.
Whatever type of workstation you use or tasks you routinely perform, we have resources to help minimize your ergonomic risks. Keep your eyes open for these types of risk factors in your workspace:
Uncomfortable desk or workstation setup
Performing repetitive tasks, either a single task or series of tasks, continually or frequently over an extended period
Awkward positioning
Reaching above shoulder height
Prolonged kneeling or squatting
Improper material handling techniques, such as twisting while lifting
Using excessive force—pushing or pulling heavy loads
Quick tip! Establishing healthy routines that include regular breaks to stretch and stand can reduce risk. For many, taking "microbreaks" that involve exercise (walking, stretching) can be effective in reducing stress on the back, neck, and shoulders. While seated stretch your fingers and hands from time to time.
All Microsoft employees and interns can participate in the Ergonomics Program. This Program gives them an opportunity to consult with an ergonomist and learn how to correctly set up and adjust the ergonomic furniture and equipment that they are provided with.
By providing medical documentation, external staff working onsite at a Microsoft facility can also get assistance with furniture from the Ergonomic team.
Spouses/domestic partners and dependent children (regardless of age) are not eligible to participate.