The Importance of Posture

Posture is one of the most overlooked aspects of our daily lives, yet it plays a critical role in our overall health and productivity. Whether you’re driving long hours, sitting at a desk, or engaged in physically demanding tasks in a warehouse, maintaining proper posture can make a significant difference in your well-being and performance. Let’s explore why posture matters and how to improve it in different work settings.

Why Posture Matters

Good posture ensures that your body’s muscles, joints, and spine are aligned and functioning optimally. Poor posture can lead to:

  • Chronic Pain: Slouching or improper alignment can cause muscle strain and lead to back, neck, and shoulder pain.
  • Reduced Productivity: Discomfort and fatigue from poor posture can affect concentration and efficiency.
  • Long-Term Health Issues: Over time, poor posture can contribute to conditions like herniated discs, joint degeneration, and even respiratory or digestive problems.
  • Increased Risk of Injury: Improper posture can put undue stress on your body, increasing the likelihood of injuries, especially in physically demanding roles.

Understanding how posture affects you in specific work scenarios is key to maintaining a healthy and productive lifestyle.

Posture While Driving

For drivers, whether you’re behind the wheel of a car or an HGV, long hours in a seated position can take a toll on your back and neck. To maintain proper posture:

  • Adjust Your Seat: Ensure your seat is positioned so you can reach the pedals comfortably without stretching. Your knees should be slightly bent, and your back should be fully supported by the seat.
  • Use Lumbar Support: Many vehicle seats don’t provide adequate lower back support. Consider using a cushion or lumbar roll to maintain the natural curve of your spine.
  • Keep Your Shoulders Relaxed: Avoid hunching forward. Your shoulders should remain relaxed and level, with your hands comfortably resting on the steering wheel at a suitable height.
  • Take Breaks: For long drives, schedule breaks to stretch your legs, relieve tension, and reset your posture.

Posture While Sitting

Office workers or anyone spending extended time seated must pay attention to their posture to avoid the pitfalls of prolonged sitting. Here’s how to sit properly:

  • Choose the Right Chair: Use an ergonomic chair that supports your lower back and allows your feet to rest flat on the floor.
  • Align Your Screen: Your computer screen should be at eye level to prevent straining your neck by looking up or down.
  • Keep Your Back Straight: Sit all the way back in your chair with your back straight and shoulders relaxed.
  • Position Your Arms and Wrists: Your elbows should be at a 90-degree angle, and your wrists should remain neutral while typing or using a mouse.

Move Regularly: Stand up and stretch every 30 minutes to an hour to relieve stiffness and improve circulation.

Posture While Working in a Warehouse

  • Warehouse work often involves lifting, bending, and standing for long periods, which can strain your body if proper posture isn’t maintained. Follow these tips to protect yourself:
  • Lift Correctly: Always lift with your legs, not your back. Bend your knees and keep the load close to your body as you rise.
  • Wear Supportive Footwear: Proper shoes with good arch support can help maintain balance and reduce strain on your legs and back.
  • Engage Your Core: Strengthen your core muscles to provide better support for your back during physical tasks.
  • Alternate Tasks: If possible, switch between different activities to avoid repetitive strain on the same muscle groups.
  • Use Assistive Equipment: Take advantage of tools like trolleys or forklifts to minimise the physical strain of heavy lifting.

Practical Tips for Better Posture

Improving posture doesn’t happen overnight, but small, consistent changes can make a big difference. Here are some practical tips:

  • Strengthen Your Core: Exercises like planks, bridges, and yoga can help improve core strength, which supports better posture.
  • Stretch Regularly: Incorporate stretching into your daily routine to increase flexibility and relieve muscle tension.
  • Be Mindful: Pay attention to how you’re sitting, standing, or lifting. Self-awareness is the first step to improving posture.
  • Invest in Ergonomics: Use ergonomic chairs, desks, and tools that encourage proper alignment.
  • Seek Professional Advice: If you’re experiencing persistent pain, consider consulting a physiotherapist or chiropractor.

Maintaining proper posture isn’t just about avoiding pain; it’s about improving your overall quality of life, productivity, and health. Whether you’re driving, sitting at a desk, or working in a warehouse, taking small steps to align your body correctly can have long-term benefits. At Premier Placement Services, we value your well-being and encourage all our workers to prioritise their health and safety on the job. Let’s work together to build stronger, healthier teams.

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Chloe Jackson, Recruitment Consultant

Chloe joined Premier Placement in 2022, following a previous role as a customer facing advisor. During her initial probationary period, her willingness to learn and absorb all things recruitment was very impressive, along with her ‘can do’ attitude. Chloe now works alongside experienced consultants within our industrial division and is developing into a team asset.

Chosen Value: Integrity
I would choose ‘integrity’ as it is important to show we can build trust with our clients and employees, creating lifelong relationships. It shows we possess attributes such as accountability, honesty, respect, and loyalty.

 

Daniel Ledwards, Recruitment Consultant

Daniel joined Premier Placement Services in October 2018 as a Trainee Consultant.  After an initial 3-month probation, he impressed everyone with his enthusiasm, attention to detail and professionalism. This led him to be fast tracked into a career within the recruitment industry which he has excelled at ever since.

Chosen Value: Consistency
I like to think I’m consistently honest with both our temps and clients, consistently aiming to place the best quality temps within roles that match their skills and capabilities. I believe in our company mantra “You’re only as good as your last temp!”

#thefuture

John Simpson, Compliance Manager

John joined the Drivers and Logistics Division with a wealth of experience  spanning over 30 years within the transport and logistics sector. Holding a National CPC in Road Transport Management, IOSH and Nebosh health and safety qualifications, his range of skills was a perfect match for Premier Placement Services.

John has an excellent rapport with our drivers. John’s skills, experience and knowledge enables him to put forward the best candidate for the role, and has excellent knowledge of driver compliance training, audits, and the investigation of incidents and infringements.

Working within the fast-paced Drivers and Logistics Division, he is a very hands-on transport professional.  Ensuring compliance and best practice is always adhered to, has propelled Premier Placement’s Drivers and Logistics Division, into a leading supplier of quality drivers resulting in an excellent reputation with our ever-growing number of clients.

Chosen Value: Professionalism
I pride myself on the requirements and responsibilities that my role in recruitment asks of me. Professionalism is at the heart of what I do, from understanding the roles to be filled, to the necessary skills of the right driver, as well as an appreciation of the client’s ethos. Professionalism means to me ensuring the drivers we provide consistently deliver to our high standards of expectation, shift after shift.

Liz Harper, Accounts Administrator

Liz has been the face of Premier Placement Services since 2006 – providing front of house support for the team and visitors to the office. Liz works in a fast-paced environment fielding calls, meeting and greeting, preparing candidates for interviews and keeping client records updated.

Chosen Value: Consistency
“Working within the payroll department I ensure all workers’ details are correctly inputted into government and internal payroll systems.  Eye to detail and a zero tolerance on mistakes ensures people get paid correctly and on time.  I believe I consistently produce these results.”

Anna Hammersley, Accounts Payroll Clerk

Anna joined Premier Placement Services as a Payroll Clerk.  She is responsible for the payroll processing system, issuing pay and pay-related information to workers, collecting weekly timekeeping data, ensuring all weekly paid staff receive accurate and timely payments.

Anna has an excellent ‘can do’ attitude, an eye for detail and a bubbly personality to match making her the perfect Premier Placement fit.

Chosen Value: Integrity
I believe that being honest and having strong moral principles promotes open and honest relationships in business and life building foundations of trust.

Steven Bowler, Recruitment Consultant

Steven joined Premier Placement from after 24 years within mobile phone retail. The experience of having recruited staff throughout his career and looking after high-volume accounts for national companies, made his transferrable skills into the recruitment industry a total asset. Steven has a passion for customer excellence to succeed in a fast- paced industrial operation so he exceeds expectation.

Chosen Value: Consistency
‘Having run my own business for over 20 years, I would like to think I have carried forward the high standards that clients and candidates need from a company. I treat the business as if it was my own and always want what’s best for the business and like to think I represent the company in an approachable and professional manner.”

Simon Arnold, Operations Manager

Simon has been with Premier Placement Services since 2016. After successfully managing our Industrial and Driving divisions, he has naturally progressed to the role of Operations Manager.Simon continuously develops our services for our established client base, ensuring the smooth running of the business. He engages, coaches, and supports a team of highly trained consultants, delivering consistent recruitment excellence.Chosen Value: Integrity Integrity is my pick as I think it is one of my greatest assets and it never fails. It is the most important ingredient for client relationships which I am passionate about and all my clients know what they get with me.

Craig Hammersley, Industrial Regional Manager

Craig is a very experienced recruitment professional having worked in the recruitment industry with Premier Placement Services for more than 20 years. Matching the right candidate to the right job is his everyday obsession, something very few recruiters get consistently right.  Craig stated the importance of detailed interviewing, character assessment, skills testing and candidate referencing which makes clients and candidates choose Premier Placement Services over other agencies, time after time.

Chosen Value: Integrity
We pride ourselves on being honest and honourable, with everyone we do business with, leading to lasting relationships and unfaltering results. Building trust is a key component to lasting business relationships and is a major factor of continuing dialogue with clients who give us repeat business based on the integrity of who they are dealing with.

Tim Evans, Industrial Regional Manager

Tim joined Premier Placement in 2003, having previously worked in a heavily regulated customer services managerial role, thus proving an instant hit with both clients and candidates alike.

Trained to the highest standards within recruitment practise, Tim is a valuable asset to the success of Premier Placement Services. Now managing our industrial division, he mentors new recruits, and his clients welcome his advice along with his intuitive recruitment solutions.

Chosen Value: Professionalism.
I have been here 2 decades and always work to get the best fit for both client, temp and Premier Placement Services.

Jo Jeneson, Accounts Manager

Jo joined Premier Placement Services in 2008, initially as a Commercial Consultant. She’s now moved behind the scenes into her current role where she is responsible for both the payroll and accounting functions of the business. By gaining a full understanding of all aspects of the business she is perfectly placed to ensure the clients’ accounting process runs as smoothly as their recruitment programme.

Chosen value: Integrity.
I pride myself on my honesty and truthfulness in my work process.  Working within our Accounts Department, it is imperative to be honest and transparent, whilst maintaining high standards and results. I feel honesty is crucial in both our business and personal life.

Ria Harper, Finance Manager

Ria is responsible for the day-to-day accounting functions whilst maintaining a healthy back office function. Applying her enthusiasm for efficiency and accuracy ensures the clients accounting process runs seamlessly.

Chosen value: Consistency
Being consistent in your work can help you build a reputation as a reliable and trustworthy professional. You can do this by consistently delivering high-quality work and meeting deadlines.

Jonathon Harper

Just short of 30 years’ experience in the recruitment industry, Managing Director Jonathan puts customer service excellence at the heart of everything that Premier Placement Services does. Since founding the business in 1996, his ethos has always been to ‘place the right person for the job’ rather than just placing ‘anyone that happens to be available’. He firmly believes that this is the key to the success of the business. ‘We are only as good as our last placement’ are the words that Jonathan believes sets the company apart from others. His approach to providing unrivalled customer service, support, supplying the most talented candidates for each position and developing on-going relationships with both candidates and clients remain the core values to the business.

 

Chosen Value: Integrity
Integrity involves being honest and honourable, as well as treating people with respect. I believe if you naturally do this then it builds mutual trust and genuine, lasting relationships. This has been my experience with my team, two employees have been with me for 20 years, when other agencies have staff retention issues. Similarly, some of our clients have been with Premier Placement since our beginning, I think this demonstrates why integrity has been fundamental to our success.