| Walking the Talk |
| Friday, 15 October 2010 16:19 | |||
 Tualatin, Oregon, October 2010 — Anthro Corporation, a maker of a wide variety of adjustable height desks, has for decades been preaching that ergonomics can improve workplace productivity, absenteeism, and morale. But when they were profiled in a New York Times article about the benefits of standing on the job, it inspired the Portland, Oregon-area firm to really put their principles – and products – through the paces. www.anthro.com
Co-founder Cathy Filgas, who drives most corporate culture initiatives, issued a company-wide 30-day “Sit-Stand Challenge.” “The typical employee spends eight hours a day chained to a chair, which isn’t healthy for the mind or body – or the sluggish American economy,” she says. “We committed to get 30% of the company to stand during 30% of the workday, for 30 days," she says. By encouraging employees to toggle between sitting and standing, rather than staying in one position, Anthro bet it could help employees be even more productive and creative. And after one month, and 2,250 hours logged standing, the firm’s Wellness Committee says “the proof’s in the pudding.” Results of Anthro’s survey of employee participants echo the findings of many of other researchers, such as Microsoft: -Nine out of ten linked the setup and design of their workstation to personal productivity. -Two-thirds tied the fatigue they experience during the week to time working at a computer. -Most reported performance increased up to 25% when using an ergonomic workstation. -100% would repeat the 30-Challenge, and in fact, would like it expanded to include stretching, stationary biking, light weight lifting, etc. Standing, shifting, and puttering eased muscle tension, aches and pains, as well as “brain strain” among folks in all departments. Then their bodies and brains returned the favor by doing better work, and much more quickly. Anthro opened its doors in 1984 with the plan of making furniture only for technology. Technology has changed significantly since then, but their focus has remained the same. They are still designing and manufacturing furniture for technology challenges from their Tualatin, Oregon, headquarters. Anthro’s products are used wherever technology is used – as video editing suites, on manufacturing shop floor, in test & measurement labs, in hospitals. Their furniture solutions are used in healthcare, education, government, and business markets, plus they offer custom solutions for the OEM market, especially for medical equipment manufacturers. Products are made the old-fashioned way, by Anthro employees and in the state of Oregon. Their state-of-the-art equipment processes raw materials into finished goods in a cycle that lasts 2 to 5 days. The company’s finishing processes are environmentally friendly, and their fabrication and assembly routines are certified by ISO, and ETL. For more information, visit www.anthro.com. SOURCE: Anthro Corporation
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