Canon Employees Are Forbidden to Sit Down, Walk at Normal Pace

[Stealthy Ninja]

Looks like yous need to keep on your toes to keep up with us Nikon boys lol: (j/k'ing)..

nah, that's pretty harsh.. at least give them a decent dress code.

At Nikon they all play ping-pong and relax in bean-bags as they "brainstorm" new ideas.

;)

[10megapixel]

At Nikon they all play ping-pong and relax in bean-bags as they "brainstorm" new ideas.

;)

Seems to be working ;) :lol:

[Cathpah]

Seems to be working ;) :lol:

just you wait.....look what happened to google!

[Lisa]

Conversely, not all engineers are of genius level intelligence.

No he is implying that engineers have no common sense ;)

[lonelyjew]

Frankly I'm shocked at the mass acceptance of theory that making people less comfortable somehow going to make them work harder. Perhaps nobody else questions idiotic rules that are there only for the sake of being there but when I was forced illogically to stand for hours on end doing a job that I could have done just as easily sitting I worked slower out of spite. I guess it makes me a bad worker to not blindly accept asinine orders merely because I was ordered.

I however was only doing mindless work where, in all honestly, being forced to stand wouldn't hurt my performance anymore than my conscious decision to work slower. These engineers however are likely to lose focus because of the distraction discomfort brings about. If I was doing complicated engineering work on a computer the last thing I would like to think about was how to position myself to relieve the stress of hours of standing on my legs.

Going even beyond this, there are outside implications that can be as simple as not being as likely to exercise before work(standing for eight hours after a long run is not fun) to actual medical issues like varicose veins. Moreover, does the person with a bad back, knees, is overweight, or pregnant, or elderly get special treatment? Somehow I don't see some people being allowed to have a comfortable work environment leading to better employee relations instead of resentment. I do suppose though that mutual frustration/hate could bring them together.

I think I might sound melodramatic with my outrage but, in all honestly, this is complete corporate bull****. Gotta love how hypocritical managers are so willing to make their underlings suffer and take whatever insane experiments are forced on them with little recourse while they themselves remain comfortable, unaffected by said lunacy.

Oh, and I have to mention, the reasoning that "some suffer or I suffer(ed) therefor it's only fair that others suffer" is a selfish and idiotic way of thinking. Why work towards improving the lives of others when you yourself suffer, it's only fair that if you are feeling pain that others feel it as well :rolleyes:

edit*
Quoted for truth
This thread is definitely interesting. Equally interesting are the replies contained in here. First, the supposed health nuts who believe that the obesity and sitting at the workplace is related. This is a a baseless misconception, that some people rationalized to make sense. Actually: "Strong evidence linking prolonged standing at work to an increased risk of heart problems and stroke has recently come to light. Researchers have linked prolonged standing to an increased risk of carotid atherosclerosis, which in turn can cause an increased risk of heart attack and stroke" (Oneil, Hazards Magazine, Hazards 91, August 2005.) Actually, sitting with some brain activity can actually burn 70 Calories per hour (http://www.tooelehealth.org/Community_Health/CVD/Calories_Burned.html) Maybe, it is more of the diet and proper exercise rather than sitting at work all day long is the reason for a fat society?

So there are no health benefits to standing up, in fact it can be a health risk according to the European magazine, Hazards. As for productivity, I can see the increase in productivity if the employees are waitresses, retail, valets, concierge, etc. But for engineers? Engineering, that would require using a computer and that usually means you are sitting down. In fact, if you are sitting in the proper posture on a computer the less likely you are to be injured, which means less time off and also means increase productivity. Also, when one is sitting, comfortably while working using a computer the person can be more efficient. If the employee is thinking about pain or is uncomfortable you tend to get more fidgeting, more going away from the work area, more stretching and stress on the body. So the logic that these engineers that are forced to stand at work is more productive is hogwash and bears no foundation at all, as it applies to engineer.

The leisure gait that is required to walk 6 meters (21 feet), in 3.6 seconds or 6 ft per second is really of no benefit healthwise or productivity. The only benefit if, the employee were to do this often and for a long time, which means they are not very productive if they are walking around the building. If employees are not walking often and not for a long time, then what is the real difference if the employee took 2 minutes instead of 1.5 minutes to get from one place to another? 30 second efficiency? So it this truly rocking the production lines and productivity?

So I fail to see the productivity benefits. Without productivity gains, then if these rules really exist, then what Canon's executives are implementing these rules just because they can? That would be workplace oppression and create a hostile work environment. I don't know about Japan, but in the US this will not work, especially in California, where we have one of the toughest set of labor laws.

Someone said something along the lines of, "Hey, it is a job, no one forced them to work there." You must be self-employed, a manager, or self-absorbed. Are you suggesting, more so with this worldwise economic issue, that one can simply not work at a place, not feed their family, etc since they don't like the rules? What? Most people that still have jobs are reminded everyday by their employers about how lucky they are that they still have jobs, and you are suggesting that if they don't like the rules, they can quit? Are you serious? Also just because you are paying someone, doesn't mean you can do as you please and oppress the employees after all, they don't need to work here. Furthermore, just because an employee can at will resign if they don't like the conditions, is not reason enough to treat them in an inhumane manner, especially if it can adversely affect their health.

My .02 cents.

[Stealthy Ninja]

just you wait.....look what happened to google!

I can see it now...

[bpepz]

At the plant I work at, we work 12 hour, sometimes 16 hour shifts and we have to be on hour feet the entire time, on hard concrete floors. if a supervisor found someone lazing around, there is no doubt they would be fired. All these people complaining about having to stand are people who either have never actually worked hard, or do not want to. We have 60 year old ladies who get by fine, interestingly its only the younger people who complain all the time about discomfort lol.

[Stealthy Ninja]

^^ Sometimes you need to stand while working (for safety or whatever) making people stand for no reason is counter productive IMHO. You're equivocating. :)

Who needs to stand up while using a computer?! ;)

[lonelyjew]

At the plant I work at, we work 12 hour, sometimes 16 hour shifts and we have to be on hour feet the entire time, on hard concrete floors. if a supervisor found someone lazing around, there is no doubt they would be fired. All these people complaining about having to stand are people who either have never actually worked hard, or do not want to. We have 60 year old ladies who get by fine, interestingly its only the younger people who complain all the time about discomfort lol.

How would you feel about a policy where your supervisor slaps you in the face and stomps your tows every hour on the hour? He does so to everyone else, even old 60 year old ladies and they don't seem to complain, only the lazy bum youngens seem to complain. Would you accept getting slapped in the face and having your foot stomped? What about if your manager reasoned it increases productivity and employee relations?

If the only logical conclusion you can come up with is "I've done it and others do it therefor everyone should do it" then you're about as much of a sheep as a sheep can be.

[CAL Imagery]

How would you feel about a policy where your supervisor slaps you in the face and stomps your tows every hour on the hour? He does so to everyone else, even old 60 year old ladies and they don't seem to complain, only the lazy bum youngens seem to complain. Would you accept getting slapped in the face and having your foot stomped? What about if your manager reasoned it increases productivity and employee relations?

If the only logical conclusion you can come up with is "I've done it and others do it therefor everyone should do it" then you're about as much of a sheep as a sheep can be.
Why arbitrary bring up the hyperbolic physical abuse?

[lonelyjew]

To make a point. I exaggerated it but my faux situation uses the same logical reasoning as forcing people to stand with for no good reason.

[CAL Imagery]

It's a bad point at that. No where has anyone spoken of physical violence until your post. And if your boss is beating you, quit.

No good reason? That's relative, but beating someone isn't.

[Stealthy Ninja]

It's a bad point at that. No where has anyone spoken of physical violence until your post. And if your boss is beating you, quit.

No good reason? That's relative, but beating someone isn't.

It was a hyperbole as you suggested, he wasn't being literal. :)

He point was valid. There was no reason for the other dude to equivocate* the practice within factory work with the same practice within office work.

*I'm using this in the philosophical logical fallacy sense.


Ohh did I just sound smart or what?! :lol:

[tkbslc]

I hear at Nikon they are only allowed to take bathroom breaks once a week.

[lonelyjew]

It's a bad point at that. No where has anyone spoken of physical violence until your post. And if your boss is beating you, quit.

No good reason? That's relative, but beating someone isn't.

As Stealthy Ninja already said, I wasn't being literal. I made it silly(like the 3 Stooges), that was the point, because as silly as it seems the logic behind it is the exact same. Seriously how don't you see that?

Now what exactly makes a slap to the face so much worse than having to stand for hours on end? Last time I checked a slap to the face didn't cause serious health problems.

Individuals spending most of the day on their feet every working day are at greater risk of health problems including varicose veins, poor circulation and swelling in the feet and legs, foot problems, joint damage, heart and circulatory problems and pregnancy difficulties.

Strong evidence linking prolonged standing at work to an increased risk of heart problems and stroke has recently come to light. Researchers have linked prolonged standing to an increased risk of carotid atherosclerosis, which in turn can cause an increased risk of heart attack and stroke (10 (http://www.hazards.org/standing/index.htm#refs)).
And a paper presented to a major international conference on work and cardiovascular diseases in March 2005 indicated “prolonged time in an upright posture at work constitutes a risk factor for the development of hypertension comparable to 20 years of aging, which in turn is one of the accepted major risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease” (11 (http://www.hazards.org/standing/index.htm#refs)).
Another paper reported evidence that “upright posture at work constitutes a major risk factor of the development of atherosclerosis, comparable to the risk found for traditional risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.” (12 (http://www.hazards.org/standing/index.htm#refs1)).


http://www.hazards.org/standing/index.htm

Seriously, not to sound melodramatic again but what the hell is wrong with people? What kind of society are we in where people who criticize often unnecessary and proven unhealthy work policy are called lazy?

[CAL Imagery]

As Stealthy Ninja already said, I wasn't being literal. I made it silly(like the 3 Stooges), that was the point, because as silly as it seems the logic behind it is the exact same. Seriously how don't you see that?

Now what exactly makes a slap to the face so much worse than having to stand for hours on end? Last time I checked a slap to the face didn't cause serious health problems.





http://www.hazards.org/standing/index.htm

Seriously, not to sound melodramatic again but what the hell is wrong with people? What kind of society are we in where people who criticize often unnecessary and proven unhealthy work policy are called lazy?
Evil capitalists.

[Stealthy Ninja]

Evil capitalists.

LOL you'll love my propaganda video then:
http://ninjastealthy.blogspot.com/2009/07/hey-there-stealthy-stunt-fans.html

[CliffordPhotography]

I see nothing wrong with it. They write this article like half of America doesnt stand on there feet for 8 hrs a day.

Good Job Canon!

[condyk]

I see nothing wrong with it. They write this article like half of America doesnt stand on there feet for 8 hrs a day.


I'm not sure the prevalence of haemorrhoids due to a diet of junk food and Coke Cola is really relevant :lol::lol:

[Lightworks Imaging]

Yeah, they might have to stand all day, and walk at a brisk clip, but just look at those COOL SHIRTS!!:lol:

[10megapixel]

At the plant I work at, we work 12 hour, sometimes 16 hour shifts and we have to be on hour feet the entire time, on hard concrete floors. if a supervisor found someone lazing around, there is no doubt they would be fired. All these people complaining about having to stand are people who either have never actually worked hard, or do not want to. We have 60 year old ladies who get by fine, interestingly its only the younger people who complain all the time about discomfort lol.

I worked 21 years in factories, some let me sit down and others made you stand. I have never worked with anyone of any age that did not complain at some point about standing on concrete floors all day...it sucks. It's hard on a persons back and takes a toll on your whole body eventually. A lot of places are starting to realize this with all the insurance claims on back related problems, realizing that being comfortable on the job does not necessarily mean lowered production rates...in fact it's quite the opposite. In my experience, like yours, it was most of the younger ones that didn't have back problems yet that were complaining the most about standing, no surprise to me at all as the older folks that have been around a while have learned that whining about it doesn't do anything but get you thrown out the door faster.:rolleyes: