IT workers are suffering an increasing number of cases of
repetitive strain injury because of the increase in mobile
working, according to a survey by Microsoft.
Microsoft found
repetitive strain injury (RSI) cases have increased by 30% in
the last year, costing businesses £300m. The report said this was
because more employees work on the move, with
mobile devices such as laptops and Blackberries, in
cramped conditions.
Over 1,000 IT managers, HR managers and office workers were
polled about RSI. Sixty eight per cent were found to be suffering
from back ache, shoulder pain or wrist and hand pain because of
working in cramped and awkward positions.
The company said, "Whilst advances in technology and
increasingly demanding workloads have seen a growing need for staff
to operate even when not in the office, the report finds it is a
worrying lack of knowledge about the risks that is leading to
millions of working hours being lost."
Charity AbilityNet offers online advice on
how to avoid RSI
injuries.