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Lost time from work, due to sickness absence, is costly for employers. Every year businesses suffer unnecessary financial costs of absence due to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), i.e. back and neck pain or upper limb problems. In 2004/5 the HSE estimated that over 1 million people believed that their symptoms were caused or made worse by their current or past work. There is an increasing number of display screen equipment (DSE) users that spend long hours sitting working at their desk, causing unnecessary stress and strain. Factors which may cause the employee aches, pains and muscular stress may be due to poor working posture, the way a working task is performed, or the use or design of the work equipment or area. It is therefore important that employees have their workstation set up appropriately to allow for a comfortable working posture. Simple steps, to reduce or prevent MSD complaints, can be taken, such as adjusting the chair or layout of the workstation to make for a more comfortable position. However, employees are often unaware of such adjustments and what they can do to improve their comfort. An ergonomic assessment of the workstation will consider the working tasks involved to adjust and “fit” the task to the worker. This can reduce current or future MSD complaints that workstation users often experience when spending long static periods at their desks. The aim of the assessment is to identify and minimise any musculoskeletal risk to the employee by removing any unnecessary stress or poor postural positions adopted. In addition to the employees comfort, under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations, and other related legislation, employers have a duty to provide safe working conditions by assessing the workstation, ensure workstations meet the minimum requirements and provide health and safety training and advice. In creating a more comfortable environment for employee’s it has been shown to improve users’ performance and productivity, thus benefiting the business. An ergonomic workstation assessment will benefit the business in several ways: Reduce sickness absence due to MSD Reduce recruitment costs (to cover absent employees) Reduce training costs Reduce compensation claims Improve staff moral Improved performance/productivity and quality – due to improved comfort Reducing potential problem areas before they occur Compliance with health and safety law Advice to employers on tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs), to purchase occupational health support for employees, can be found on the HSE website, “Tax rules and the purchase of occupational health support”. (Health And Safety Link)