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In the call center space, ergonomic furniture goes a long way in making your agents more comfortable and more efficient.

The sedentary office lifestyle that many of us are accustomed to is terrible for our overall health. Choosing furniture that promotes proper posture and adjusts to fit the needs of multiple agents can cut down on health issues associate with the office.

Jennifer Way of Interior Concepts said in an article for TMC (News - Alert), “An ergonomic call center can help reduce loss of productivity due to injury, and create a better working environment, simply by providing ergonomic tools in the workstations. Along with an adjustable height monitor and keyboard, a complete ergonomic package also includes an adjustable chair, task light, and footrest, as well as training on how to properly adjust the equipment.”

But there’s more that you can be doing every day to promote proper circulation and reduce muscle stiffness when you intend to sit for hours on end. The Mayo Clinic recently produced a slideshow that offers a number of stretches perfect for getting the blood flowing while at the office.

Desk stretches might not look all too cool, but they can promote health, increase focus and reduce muscle fatigue. Incorporating them into your daily routine can counterbalance some of the negative effects that come with sitting all day.

When stretching before a marathon work session, it’s imperative that you concentrate on giving your entire body attention. Neck stretches for sitting for long period at a computer, back stretches for sitting all day, arm stretches for typing. Each of these stretches can go a little ways in making agents more comfortable throughout a full day.

In conjunction with ergonomic furniture, taking stretch breaks will help reduce the strain that 8 hours in a chair puts on agent. Promote healthier practices in your call center and you’ll not only keep these agents happier, but you’ll reduce injury claims and potentially thousands of dollars in payouts.

Chris DiMarco is a Web Editor for TMCnet. He holds a master's degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University. Prior to joining TMC Chris worked with e-commerce provider Suresource as a contact center representative and development analyst. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page. Follow him on Twitter (News - Alert) @cpdimarco.

Edited by Carrie Schmelkin