The Cost of Pain and Lost Productivity in the Workplace

Though, as a nation, our labor productivity has been on a consistent rise over the last several decades, we still face issues in our day-to-day productivity that have yet to be addressed, especially when it comes to workplace-related fatigue and pain.

The Journal of American Medical Association reported that nearly 13% of workers are experiencing pain that impacts their productivity, and the majority of the lost productive time, around 77%, was explained by reduced performance while at work, not work absence.

How do we address those issues with not just the numbers and bottom line in mind, but workers? What do solutions look like that address workplace productivity, regardless of workflow?

We were joined on this video episode of the Building Management Podcast by Bryce Betteridge, CEO of SmartCells USA, a company that provides patented cushion technology for workers to reduce pain, increase performance and prevent injuries.

Betteridge pulls from timely and storied examples of this technology at work to break down…

  • What the ergonomic trends in the workplace have been over the last several decades
  • What these trends and productivity studies say about the current workplace and workplace needs
  • How pain at work impacts quality of work, quality of life, and businesses’ bottom lines
  • Why Betteridge and his team landed on the firm-but-flexible design for SmartCells technology
  • How SmartCells technology is being rolled out during the COVID-19 pandemic

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Building Management Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Engineering
Engineering Education Needs to Be Human-Centered, Purpose-Driven, and Grounded in Real-World Problem Solving
May 11, 2026

Student disengagement, the rapid rise of AI, and shifting workforce expectations are pushing higher education to rethink how it prepares graduates. Engineering programs—long defined by rigor and technical depth—are now under pressure to stay relevant, improve retention, and produce graduates who can actually solve real-world problems, not just theoretical ones. And the numbers back…

Read More
Solo Stove
From Fire Pits to Outdoor Rituals: How Solo Stove Is Building a Lifestyle Brand Through Differentiation and Design
May 8, 2026

The backyard has become more than a place to grill, sit, or pass through on the way back inside. Increasingly, it is being treated as an extension of the home itself: a gathering place, a design statement, and a stage for the small rituals that bring people together. Solo Stove has leaned into that…

Read More
faith
Crafted Journey How To: Aligning Faith, Leadership and Career Purpose Without Losing Sight of What Matters Most
May 5, 2026

Professionals are increasingly questioning whether career success alone can deliver meaning, identity and long-term fulfillment. Coaching has moved beyond productivity hacks into deeper questions of purpose, faith and human flourishing, especially for leaders who want their work to create impact without becoming their entire identity. Research has consistently found a strong business case for…

Read More
AI adoption strategy
The AI Reality Check: Why AI Adoption Strategy, Not Tools, Will Decide the Winners
May 5, 2026

Artificial intelligence has moved from novelty to necessity almost overnight. Since generative AI tools entered the mainstream just a few years ago, organizations across every industry have felt pressure to “do something” with AI—often before they fully understand what that something should be. Research shows that while most companies are experimenting with AI, very…

Read More