Back to work better. Beat the post-holiday slump with good work design
For most of us, the sun has set on our summer holidays. Coming back to work after a Kiwi summer break can be a shock to the system. While your team might be refreshed, your workplace might need a tune-up for the year ahead. A proactive start is the best way to keep everyone safe and productive.
We often see a spike in reports of pain and discomfort early in the year. Several factors may contribute to this trend - injuries sustained over the break, fatigue from travel, long hot summer days, a sudden shift back to routine, and readjusting to the physical and mental demands of work. For businesses that operate 365 days a year, some team members may not have even had a break and may feel generally fatigued, particularly when working in hot and humid conditions.
But, the increase in pain and discomfort reports may also identify work systems that are no longer fit-for-purpose or efficient. The new year is the perfect opportunity to take stock and optimise your systems and processes to address musculoskeletal risk factors before they lead to an injury claim or lost time. We need to look deeper than just encouraging stretching or scheduling manual handling training. This is where good work design comes in.
Three areas to optimise your start to the year
Ergonomics or human factors looks at the whole system. By applying good work design principles, we consider, people, tools and equipment, tasks, and the environment. As you ramp up for the year, now is the perfect time to consider these three areas.
1. A physical reset
Tools and equipment. Check that equipment is where it should be and is in good condition and easily accessible. Ensure everything is on a maintenance schedule.
Team check-in. Check with team members to see if they have noticed any issues with their tools or equipment or the wider work environment. If there are problems, get them sorted.
Pinpoint problems. You can use WorkSafe Manual task screening tools or carry out a risk assessment to identify problem areas. Look at how and where stock is stored, and if lifting tasks are necessary at all. Often, there are quick and cost-effective solutions that can reduce the risk of injury to your team.
Office-based employees. Now is a good time to review computer workstation setups. Ask team members to self-assess their workstations, or, pair them up to assess each other using the WorkSafe guide Setting up a healthy workstation when working from home. Think of a computer setup like driving a car. When you get in, you adjust the seat, backrest, and mirrors so you are comfortable and can drive safely. Following these basic workstation setup principles that apply to working in an office or at home, can save money and prevent discomfort.
Working from home duty of care. If you have team members who work from home, remember that under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, businesses have a duty of care to ensure all workers have a setup that reduces the risk of injury. Now is a great time to check in with them about their home workstation setup.
2. The mental ramp-up
Easing back into work. Psychosocial risks like high workloads can feel heavier after time off. Gradually increasing the work pace, or work demands helps people adjust without the stress that often leads to physical tension.
Team check-in. Make sure you check in with team members to see how they are getting on. Having a clear plan for the year and ensuring people have role clarity and support will help reduce these psychosocial risks.
3. The fresh-eyes check
New perspective. Use the first couple of weeks back to look at your tasks with a fresh new perspective. Instead of focusing on individual failures, focus on system improvements that address the root causes of risk.
Continuous improvement. Ask team members for ideas to improve efficiency or make things easier. Develop a plan with them to trial new work methods and look for ways to continuously improve and manage the risks of sprains and strains.
Protecting your people and your bottom line
Musculoskeletal disorders such as sprains and strains are a huge financial burden in Aotearoa New Zealand. Yet, many businesses still miss the opportunity to fix issues at the design stage. By applying a systems approach now, you can mitigate these risks and set a foundation for a better health and safety culture.
Why not kick off the year with a Workplace Assessment?
ProErgo+ can conduct a deep-dive analysis of your key jobs. This helps to reduce the risk of injury to your team and protects your bottom line through fewer injury claims and improved worker wellbeing.
Our trusted support gives you the knowledge to make smart, evidence-based, and practical changes.
Your opportunity
You can set the tone for a healthier, safer, more efficient year right now. Let’s make 2026 about getting ahead of the curve, moving away from reactive injury management and toward proactive work design. By identifying risks early, you protect your people and your bottom line. If you are ready to move beyond the "ambulance at the bottom of the cliff" approach and start investing in long-term health and wellbeing, ProErgo+ is here to help.
Not sure where to start?
I offer a free 15-minute phone or Teams chat to help understand your specific needs and see how ProErgo+ can support your team.
Get in touch for a trusted, high-quality solution that delivers peace of mind.
