How a Tech Company Cut Absence by 35% Through Adjustments in India

In today’s competitive business environment, employee wellbeing is no longer an optional perk; it is an operational necessity. For tech companies in India, where long hours at desks are common, workplace discomfort often leads to rising absenteeism, presenteeism, and reduced morale.

Recently, a leading Bengaluru-based tech company achieved a remarkable 35% reduction in sickness absence within six months – simply by making strategic ergonomic adjustments. Here’s how they did it, and how your organisation can do the same.

The Challenge: High Absence and Hidden Discomfort

This multinational IT services provider employs over 2,000 staff at its Bengaluru campus, with a significant proportion working in software development, coding, and testing. Their HR team noticed:

• Increasing short-term sickness absence, especially related to back pain, neck pain, and wrist strain.

• Declining productivity, as many employees were working through discomfort but at reduced efficiency.

• Low engagement in existing wellness programmes, which focused mainly on gym memberships and mental health workshops without addressing daily physical strain.

The Solution: Ergonomics-Focused Workplace Adjustments

After consulting with ergonomic experts, the company adopted a four-step strategy:

1. Rapid Virtual and Onsite Ergonomic Assessments

Using a blended approach of virtual assessments for remote workers and onsite reviews for campus-based teams, each employee received personalised advice on workstation setup, posture, and adjustments needed.

Key findings included:

• Chairs set too low or lacking lumbar support.

• Monitors placed too high or too low, leading to neck strain.

• Overuse of trackpads instead of ergonomic mice, causing wrist discomfort.

• Absence of document holders for those working with physical files alongside digital screens.

2. Investment in Ergonomic Equipment

Based on assessment results, the company invested in:

• Ergonomic chairs with adjustable seat height, backrest, and lumbar support to suit Indian physiques and sitting habits.

• Height adjustable desks for development teams to switch between sitting and standing, reducing back fatigue from prolonged sitting.

• Ergonomic mice for programmers and designers spending long hours on repetitive tasks, reducing wrist strain significantly.

• Document holders for HR and finance teams handling bulk paperwork alongside their screens.

3. Employee Training and Cultural Mindset Shifts

Equipment alone is insufficient without education. Short, engaging training sessions were delivered focusing on:

• Optimal chair and desk setup.

• Importance of micro-breaks and movement.

• Simple stretching routines to incorporate throughout the day.

• Cultural barriers to reporting discomfort, reframing pain as an actionable concern rather than a sign of weakness.

4. Policy Changes to Support Sustainable Wellbeing

Management reinforced the ergonomic initiative by integrating it into health and safety policies, mandating workstation assessments for all new joiners, and encouraging ongoing feedback to refine interventions.

The Results: Measurable Improvements in Six Months

Six months after implementing ergonomic adjustments, the company recorded:

• 35% reduction in sickness absence linked to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

• 40% improvement in self-reported comfort levels, as measured in their internal health survey.

• Positive employee feedback, with many expressing appreciation that their discomfort was taken seriously and addressed proactively.

• Improved productivity, particularly among coding teams, as discomfort-related distractions reduced.

Why This Approach Worked

This success story demonstrates key principles:

• Individual assessments ensure solutions match each employee’s unique needs.

• High-quality ergonomic equipment like chairs, height adjustable desks, ergonomic mice, and document holders address root causes of discomfort.

• Training empowers employees to adjust and maintain their setup correctly.

• Leadership support embeds ergonomic health into organisational culture for long-term impact.

How We Can Support Your Organisation

At Workplace Adjustments, we understand the demands of India’s tech sector – from high-pressure project cycles to long coding sessions. We provide:

• Ergonomic chairs that align with natural spinal posture and are adjustable for Indian body dimensions.

• Height adjustable desks enabling smooth sit-stand transitions to reduce sedentary fatigue.

• Ergonomic mice designed to minimise wrist strain and enhance precision for development and design work.

• Document holders to support multi-tasking roles while maintaining neck and eye comfort.

Combined with our virtual and onsite assessment services, your organisation can create a healthier, more productive workforce and achieve significant reductions in absenteeism and associated costs.

Final Thoughts

Investing in ergonomic workplace adjustments is not just about furniture; it is about people. This tech company’s success in cutting absence by 35% proves that simple, targeted changes lead to substantial results. When employees are comfortable and pain-free, they are more engaged, focused, and motivated to drive your business forward.

Explore our range of ergonomic chairs, desks, mice, and document holders today to begin your journey towards a healthier and more productive workplace.