Uncovering the hidden cost of back pain in modern workplaces

This whitepaper shares insights from a study of more than 55,000 home, hybrid and office workers, revealing how modern working patterns are contributing to the back pain crisis. With an average of 14 working days lost per musculoskeletal (MSK) case each year, it highlights why the issue is often not where people work, but how they work.

DOWNLOAD WHITEPAPER

$124BN

COST OF BACK PAIN TO THE US ECONOMY

1.36BN

LOST WORK HOURS

13.68%

WORKERS SUFFERING WITH BACK PAIN

55,733

RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS

The Whitepaper Findings Reveal

The Back Pain Crisis

One in seven workers report daily or weekly back pain, with prevalence highest among hybrid and home-based workers.

Poor Workstations Set Up

Non-standard workstations such as sofas, dining tables and kitchen counters significantly increase discomfort and injury risk

Cost Of Lower Productivity

Back pain and wider discomfort contribute to substantial lost productive time, costing organizations billions annually.

Ergonomics Training Benefits

Training your workforce to benefit from ergonomics can reduce discomfort and halve lost productive time.

Back Pain Threatens Businesses’ People, Productivity & Profit

C-suite executives and senior leadership teams should realize that a silent threat is affecting businesses navigating hybrid and flexible working models: the physical and financial impacts of back pain and musculoskeletal discomfort in workers who use computer equipment.

Why back pain has become a board level issue

Our research underlines that discomfort affects their productive hours and puts the cost of that in the US alone at $124 billion a year. The potential for compensation and injury claims increases the financial burden on businesses that do not look after their home and hybrid workers’ health.

The problem of non standard workstations

Improvised home workspaces and non-standard workstations are a major driver of back pain. Our research found that while many home and hybrid workers have a desk, 10 to 15 per cent use dining tables and 2 to 5 % work on the sofa. Others set up their DSE on a kitchen counter, bed, vehicles, soft seating or improvised surfaces.

Young woman working from home with a boston terrier dog. Freelancer businesswoman using laptop at sunny room. Student learning and working at home.

Team Of Designers Working At Desks In Modern Office

The productivity drain

An environment where people can work well has a positive impact on productivity. However, back pain impacts an employee’s ability to work well. It affects posture, mental well-being, concentration, and problem solving. When pain becomes chronic, its impact compounds, affecting workers’ home and social lives, which can in turn have a detrimental influence on their professional performance as they try to “push through” the pain.

Recognizing the risk blind spots

Our research also gathered employers’ feedback to establish the ergonomic pitfalls they can encounter through lack of insight or lack of budget. More than half of respondents were not confident that back pain and discomfort were being fully reported. They had difficulty monitoring working conditions away from the office and limited budget for home equipment.

Why behavior-based ergonomics works (Even without new equipment)

Cardinus’ an online, self-serve ergonomics program Healthy Working® can help. The Healthy Working® program combines self-assessment and eLearning tools with virtual and in-person ergonomics assessments. Used by five million people at more than 1,500 client organisations globally, Healthy Working® is the world’s most widely adopted ergonomics solution. Our research found it halved both average annual non-productive time and the prevalence of back pain.

Download the Whitepaper

Complete the short form below to download the latest Cardinus whitepaper and uncover the true cost of back pain at work.

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Self-Assessment & eLearning

Customizable ergonomics self-assessments and eLearning with engaging content for driving measurable change.

Tailored Ergonomics Program

Healthy Working® creates a unique ergonomics program customized to an individual’s workstation and needs.

Comprehensive Ergonomics Management

Our PACE management system resolves risks the employee can’t, ensuring targeted, appropriate and results-driven interventions.

Customization

Our ergonomics software is fully customizable and easily adapted to meet your branding requirements.

Real-Time Support

Personalized support available through ergonomic exercises, smartphone apps, and real-time feedback.

Global Coverage

Healthy Working® supports 5M+ users to reduce their workplace pain, discomfort, and injuries.

Don’t hide from potential problems

Take action to protect your people and productivity with Cardinus’ ergonomics solutions.

SPEAK TO AN EXPERT

Certifications

What our customers are saying about Healthy Working®

Healthy Working is a results-driven ergonomics solution—as shown by the feedback we receive from our valued clients.

A reduction in injuries

Easy to use for us and our employees – We have seen a reduction in injuries and the injuries we have sustained are not costing us as much. We are getting people back to work quicker, getting them equipment they need.

Adventis Health

A dedicated team to help you on a daily basis

The managed service model tends to be unique to Cardinus. Other vendors do offer paid consulting models, but the structure is different. You don’t get a dedicated team to help you on a daily basis.

A level of comfort

When pressure levels are up within my world, your Managed Services team smooths it over and brings about a level of comfort.

Phillips 66

A reduction in injury costs of 75%

Cardinus has helped us reduce injuries by 50% and see a reduction in injury costs of 75%.

Nathan Williams | Associate Engineer

A dedicated team to help you on a daily basis

The managed services model tends to be unique to Cardinus. Other vendors do offer paid consulting models, but the structure is different. You don’t get a dedicated team to help you on a daily basis.