Ergo What?

Reclining productivity

In the old days, if a boss saw a worker with his feet propped on his desk, he would probably furrow his brow and bark, "Don't get too comfortable, Bumstead!" Times change. Today's executive might buy the employee a more relaxing chair. The manager would be applying one of the latest buzzwords in American business: ergonomics. Says Michael J. Smith, chief of motivation and stress research for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: "There isn't one major computer maker or office-furniture maker that doesn't have ergonomics experts designing his...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!