Enhancing Comfort and Posture for Work-From-Home BPO Employees: A Study on Ergonomic Backrest Design Using RULA and REBA Tools

Work-from-home BPO employees often face poor posture and musculoskeletal discomfort due to prolonged sitting in non-ergonomic setups. This study examined posture-related risks and introduced Consuelo, a portable backrest with lumbar support and a headrest, designed to improve comfort and reduce injury. A mixed-method approach was used: a survey of 290 BPO workers identified common pain areas (lower back and neck), while RULA and REBA assessments revealed that over half of respondents were at high postural risk. Based on these findings, the Consuelo backrest was developed and tested in a two-week pilot with 15 participants. Results showed a 35% reduction in self-reported lower back discomfort (p < 0.05), with 73% of users improving from “High/Very High” to “Medium” risk levels. RULA and REBA together provided a thorough ergonomic analysis, each capturing different aspects of postural strain. These results demonstrate that interventions like Consuelo can significantly enhance sitting posture and comfort for remote BPO workers. The paper outlines the design rationale, validates its impact through pilot data, and offers recommendations for broader use and future research.