Health risks of out-of-office work

13:00 AEST Tue Jun 19 2012
AAP
Workers are putting their mental and physical health at risk by continuing to work after they leave the office
Workers are putting their mental and physical health at risk by continuing to work after they leave the office (Thinkstock)

Workers are putting their mental and physical health at risk by continuing to work after they leave the office, a British report warns.

A study by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) showed that people are doing more than two extra hours' work every day while commuting and after arriving home.

The so-called "screen slaving" is blamed on work pressures, although some people say working at home in the evening helps to ease their stress levels.

A study of more than 2,000 office workers found most spent more than six hours in front of a computer screen during the day, before turning on their smartphones or other devices on their way home.

The CSP warned that over working can lead to health problems, while poor posture when using smartphones causes back and neck pain.

Employers are urged to encourage staff to take regular breaks and to take part in activities during the day.

CSP chairman Dr Helena Johnson said: "The results of this survey are a huge concern to physiotherapists, who see the consequences of poor posture and bad working practices each day.

"While doing a bit of extra work at home may seem like a good short-term fix, if it becomes a regular part of your evening routine then it can lead to problems such as back and neck problems, as well as stress-related illness. This is especially the case if you're using handheld devices and not thinking about your posture."

PA maur


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