Wordsmith Lane

CLEO: Is your workplace a health hazard?

Published in: Cleo, February 2009. Copyright Sarah Ayoub 2009

With various mental, physical and social effects on your health, your job could be harming more than just your sleep-in. Cleo checks out the risks…

Fatal Fit-outs: Despite many reports suggesting otherwise, the Honorary Secretary of the Australasian College of Dermatologists, Stephen Shumack, says there’s no real damage to skin by office lights unless you have a light-sensitive condition, but he warns that open windows near concrete buildings can cause skin damage in summer, because of concrete’s light-reflecting capability, so do wear an SPF indoors. Prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can lead to disability, by checking out the ergonomics of your work station (the science concerned with the ‘fit’ between people and their work) on ergonomenon.com . It offers great tips on adjusting your equipment, taking breaks away from your desk, stretches and correct seating methods. Prefer something tailored to your office? See your office OH&S rep for advice.

The Colleague Challenge: Some are bitchy and conniving, others are loud and distracting, and then there’s the matter of the lazy ones. Christie, 23, thought she left it all behind when she started her new role as an account manager on an advertising team, but it hasn’t been the case working with a colleague who spends time on loud personal calls and then palms her work over to her. But Sally O’Keeffe, Director of CareerGirl and author of CareerGirl – Get the Job You Love!, argues that it is your right to express the need for professionalism and consideration in the workplace. She advises you to calmly but assertively define boundaries with your co-workers. “Respectfully request for excessive chat to be taken elsewhere, say no to those who’d have you do a bit of their job for them without good reason, and stay professional at all times around people who are bitchy. It takes away some of their ammunition!”

The Chained To Your Work Syndrome: Sick of taking it home? For some like Jane*, 28, long hours and impossible workloads are taking their toll on her stress levels, emotions and relationships. O’Keeffe says this needn’t be the case. “Structure your working day so you have a couple of breaks in order to recharge your mind and energy levels” she says. “Plan your week; simplify work processes in order to get more out of them and…work [with colleagues] to get projects done”. If you’re pressured by tasks that are not reflective of your role or salary level, she advises you take it up with HR/relevant management, but approach it with possible solutions to show you care about your firm’s bottom line, but don’t want your performance hindered by jobs that aren’t key responsibilities.

Dressing to Impress: Looking the part of a high-flying executive could really pay off for you when you’re wooing the boss for that promotion, but when it’s at the expense of blisters and back pain, is it really worth it? Not according to podiatrists who constantly warn of the dangers of heels, including arthritis, shortening of the Achilles tendon, lower back pain, changes in posture, bunions and ingrown toenails, and more. Tight clothing is also just as bad a health culprit, with research showing that it can cause rash and/or itchiness of the vulva, tingling sensations in the thigh area due to heightened nerve sensitivities, and poor circulation around the hips. Our advice: ditch the skinnies and invest in basic work-wear like pencil skirts, man-style pants and dresses that you can jazz up with accessories, and alternate between heel-wearing days.

Foodie Faults & Function Overload: There’s a stash of chocolate in your desk drawer, you eat take-away regularly, and you never refuse after-work or function drinks. But according to Accredited Practising Dietitian and Director of Food & Nutrition Australia, Sharon Natoli, such indulgent practices can lead to digestive problems, heart problems and high blood pressure. She advises you keep stocks of canned tuna, salmon and legumes at work and combining them with wholegrain crackers or simple salads for lunch. To help you say no to fried finger foods at cocktail functions, Natoli recommends you have a light meal beforehand. “Choose the lighter style foods such as sushi, sashimi, vegetable sticks with dips [and] grilled meats on skewers. Choose low alcohol options such as wine spritzers, half nips of spirits with diet mixers or low alcohol beer”, she says.