Ergonomics interventions have the potential to improve operational performance and employee wellbeing.
We introduce a framework for ergonomics climate, the extent to which an organization emphasizes
and supports the design and modification of work to maximize both performance and well-being
outcomes. We assessed ergonomics climate at a large manufacturing facility twice during a two-year
period. When the organization used ergonomics to promote performance and well-being equally, and
at a high level, employees reported less work-related pain. A larger discrepancy between measures of
operational performance and employee well-being was associated with increased reports of workrelated
pain. The direction of this discrepancy was not significantly related to work-related pain, such
that it didn't matter which facet was valued more. The Ergonomics Climate Assessment can provide
companies with a baseline assessment of the overall value placed on ergonomics and help prioritize
areas for improving operational performance and employee well-being.