With the holiday season officially upon us, it is time to get a bit more light-hearted about serious topics. Enjoy this version of The Three Bears fairytale – with an ergonomic twist!

Once upon a time, in an up-an-coming business far, far away, Goldilocks was working over-time, trying to finish a report for the important board meeting the following morning. As she wandered down the hall, in search of critical information from her contributing associates, she came upon the cubicle of Mr. Biggs. Since he had already gone home for the day, Goldilocks entered the cubicle and sat down at his desk.

My, oh, my, but Mr. Biggs’ chair was too large. When she sat, Goldilocks feet dangled, cutting off circulation to her legs. My, oh, my, but the monitor screen was too far away, causing Goldilocks to lean forward in the chair and crane her neck to see the monitor. My, oh, my but the keyboard was too high. Goldilocks had to reach forward for the mouse causing her elbow to ache. By the time Goldilocks had retrieved the information she needed from Mr. Biggs’ cubicle, she was ready to take Tylenol.

Continuing on her information retrieval mission, Goldilocks came upon the cubicle of Ms. Petite. Since she had already gone home for the day, Goldilocks entered the cubicle and sat down at her desk.

My, oh, my, but Ms. Petite’s chair was too low, pushing up Goldilocks knees, causing her back to ache and her shoulders to hunch. My, oh, my but the laptop computer Ms. Petite used had such a small keyboard that Goldilocks wrists were angled oddly and her fingers went numb. My, oh, my, but when Goldilocks raised the laptop onto a higher desk so that her neck was comfortable, she had trouble using the keyboard, and when she lowered the laptop so her elbows and wrists were comfortable, Goldilocks’ neck hurt from bending forward. By the time Goldilocks had the information she needed from Ms. Petite’s cubicle, she needed a cold pack.

Continuing on her information retrieval mission, Goldilocks came upon the cubicle of Ms. Average. Since Ms. Average had already gone home for the day, Goldilocks entered the cubicle and sat down at her desk.

Fortunately for Goldilocks, she was average, too! When Goldilocks sat down at the chair to find that last piece of vital information for her report, she discovered that her feet were able to rest comfortably on the floor, her lower back was supported nicely with the lumbar support, and her shoulders were relaxed when she placed her arms on the arm rests. Goldilocks found that when she looked at the monitor, the distance of the screen was perfect (about and arm’s length away), the letters were large enough to see clearly, and the screen was dust-free with the color and contrast set so that the letters were crisp, eliminating any eye-strain. And the under-the-table keyboard drawer positioned the keyboard and the mouse perfectly so that Goldilocks’ ears, shoulders and elbows were in alignment and relaxed, her wrists were neutral on the ergonomic keyboard and there was no reaching forward to activate the keys or click the mouse.

In fact, Goldilocks was so comfortable, that as she pressed the final “print” button, she drifted into an exhausted sleep.

The next morning, when Mr. Biggs returned to the office and discovered an empty coffee cup and bottle of Tylenol on his desk, he got the feeling that someone had been sitting at his computer.

The next morning, when Ms. Petite returned to the office and discovered an empty coffee cup and the cold pack on her desk, she got the feeling that someone had been sitting at her computer.

The next morning, when Ms. Average returned to the office, she discovered Goldilocks, still asleep at her computer, a cup of cold coffee in front of her! Grabbing the freshly printed reports and two fresh cups of coffee, Ms. Petite woke Goldilocks and the two sprinted down the hall, arriving at the meeting, just on time.

As fairy tales always have happy endings, Goldilocks’ dedication and hard-work helped business to boom. The board members were happy, the company went public, and everyone lived happily and wealthily ever after.

And now, for the moral of the story – Goldilocks was lucky that she did not develop a repetitive strain injury on that fateful night. Most people are not average. Different body sizes and types will demand different work station requirements. If multiple users need to use the same station, easily adjustable chairs, monitor arms and keyboard trays will help make all users comfortable. Training employees in how to work safely and how to make the appropriate ergonomic adjustments will improve productivity, efficiency and comfort and reduce compensation claims.