BT Business Helps Flexible Workers With Launch Of 'Get Fit For Mobile Working'

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy;  Bones / Orthopaedics;  Pain / Anesthetics
Article Date: 29 Aug 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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BT Business has launched a practical guide - Get fit for mobile working - to help businesses tackle the problems encountered by some of the UK's 14 million mobile workers. The guide is designed to help mobile workers to avoid the back, neck and arm problems that can arise as a result of working in unfamiliar environments with a poor posture.

Official figures show that back, neck and arm problems are the most common occupational illnesses in the UK. Over a fifth (20.6%) of BT employees' sickness absence is caused by such illnesses. However, newly published research carried out by BT Business shows that less than half (46%) of mobile workers are receiving guidance about staying safe when working on the move. Furthermore, a quarter (25%) of workers are unaware that all businesses are legally responsible for their health and safety wherever they are working, whether or not they are in the office.

To show workers there is no reason to be suffering discomfort, BT Business has worked with Margaret Hanson, one of the UK's leading ergonomists, to publish a handy reference guide. Get fit for mobile working helps to identify common issues, their causes, and the solutions to ensure you steer clear of back, neck and arm problems both now and in the coming years. The advice will be communicated internally to more than 100,000 employees at BT itself.

Dr Paul Litchfield, BT's Chief Medical Officer said "Mobile working can liberate people by giving them more flexibility over their time and more control over their jobs - both are important in helping to make modern life less stressful. As with any technology, people can experience problems with mobile devices if they don't take note of simple, practical steps, such as those developed by BT Business, before they begin to use their equipment."

Recent years have seen an explosion in mobile working, and a demonstration of the benefits - 83% of us think flexible working brings competitive advantages in business, whilst 54% of managers believe flexible workers have a better quality of life.

Bill Murphy, Managing Director of BT Business said "Mobile and flexible working has transformed both business and personal lives. By observing a few general principles, workers can ensure they see all the benefits of mobile working, without any downside. Businesses need to be aware of their legal responsibility for the health and safety of employees, wherever they are working."

"There has been a lack of advice for employees about best practice mobile working, despite the explosion in mobile and remote working in the UK. This is why we have teamed up with leading ergonomist Margaret Hanson to produce the advice within Get fit for mobile working which we are making available to customers, and sharing with all BT employees.

Here are ten top tips from Get fit for mobile working on how you can avoid mobile misery:

1. Use the backrest of your chair. Don't slouch forwards. Keep shoulders in line with your hips.

2. Hold your head so ears are above shoulders. Don't stick your chin forward or bend or twist your neck.

3. Alternate between thumbs and fingers when typing on smartphones.

4. Don't rest wrists or forearms on the edge of desks.

5. Position items so you don't twist your back; screens should be at a comfortable viewing height in front of you. Ensure your back is supported.

6. Exercise your hands, wrists and neck regularly.

7. Make sure there is nothing underneath your workstation that restricts your posture.

8. Take regular breaks away from the keyboard and screen.

9. Don't hold the phone between ear and shoulder - you're likely to get a sore neck.

10. Adjust settings on your software so that the image and text are large enough for you to see comfortably.

The advice has been packaged in a handy, at-a-glance overview, as well as a detailed report. See both at http://www.bt.com/getfitformobileworking

About Margaret Hanson

Margaret Hanson, Principal Ergonomics Consultant, has 15 years experience of providing advice and support to organizations on how to reduce the risk of discomfort through the ergonomic design of workplaces and equipment. She has undertaken research for the Health and Safety Executive and the Scottish Government. She is a Fellow of the Ergonomics Society and a Chartered Member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

About BT

BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

In the year ended 31 March 2008, BT Group's revenue was £20,704 million with profit before taxation and specific items of £2,506 million.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.

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