LONDON, UK, November 18 2004 – It was announced today that the International Secretariat (IS) of Amnesty International (AI) has implemented WorkPace, a software program developed to prevent injuries that can result from using a computer, throughout its organization worldwide.

In late 2003 the IS joint consultation group of management and trade union identified a need to explore further options for reducing the incidence of RSI and other computer-related injuries amongst its staff members.

The IS was determined to do something to explore all options as it strove to protect its nearly 500 staff from any further injury and formed a multi-disciplinary team to examine the options open to it. The team was led by Bill Nuttall, director of Human Resources, and consisted of representatives from the human resources, Health and Safety and IT teams, the in-house Occupational Therapist, and Union representation.

This team conducted a wide investigation as to what was effective in helping in the prevention of and recuperation from computer-related injuries. They came across WorkPace, a software tool used by over a million computer users worldwide that combines comprehensive end-user training in protecting computer users with individually tailored breaks and exercise programs.

A pilot of WorkPace was implemented across a broad cross-section of the IS London-based staff in order to establish IT compliance, employee reaction, work style compatibility, and effectiveness in terms of reducing incidences of computer-related injuries.

Between April and June 2004, 48 users participated in the pilot of the WorkPace software. The user group was fully representative of the organization in terms of job roles and responsibilities and included a number of people who were experiencing significant pain, discomfort, or eyestrain from using a computer at the beginning of the pilot.

The pilot structure, training, end user questionnaires and ongoing IT and participant support was provided throughout the pilot period by staff from Home Working Solutions, the UK Supplier of WorkPace.

At the conclusion of the six week pilot, Home Working Solutions produced a report for the committee which allowed them to accurately evaluate both the participants’ computer usage and their reaction to the use of WorkPace.

Some of the key statistics from this report were:

• 92% of the participants found the WorkPace software beneficial or very beneficial
• 97% wanted to continue using WorkPace
• 92% said that the software had little or no negative effect on their work practices
• 97% recommended that the software be implemented within the organization
• 72% of participants suffering discomfort attributed to computer use found that their symptoms were either improved or much improved after using WorkPace for six weeks

The WorkPace software is now being placed on all PCs and laptops within AI worldwide. AI is also making WorkPace freely available to any staff that use computers at home.

Bill Nuttall, director of Human Resources at AI, said: “The IS is committed to doing as much as possible to ensure that its staff are protected from any form of computer related injuries. Alongside the implementation of WorkPace, we have been highly proactive in ensuring that all staff are given full training in the safe use of computers, as well as ensuring that staff have the proper equipment and desk set up that are such an important part of this protection.

“We certainly expect to see a significant decrease in pain and absenteeism associated with computer related injuries, but also believe that by having taken the initiative in this respect and driven through the usage of WorkPace in the most transparent way possible, we will be seen as the employer of choice for our dedicated and committed staff.”

Luke Munro, Managing Director or Home Working Solutions, said: “We are delighted that the IS has chosen to implement WorkPace throughout its organization. It is testament to their proactive approach to such an important issue.

“The UK is seeing a huge increase in the number of cases of injuries such as RSI and a subsequent increase in the number of claims being made through employer liability insurance policies.

“It is widely acknowledged that the best way of avoiding these types of injuries is simply to take regular breaks from your computer. Software packages like WorkPace will monitor your mouse and keyboard use and prompt you to take short breaks when they are most needed.

“Every responsible computer user should be installing this sort of software. The number of computer-related injuries can largely be put down to a lack of proper training on computer usage, and the staggering increase in the number of insurance claims means that employers cannot afford to ignore this issue any longer.”

About Amnesty International

The International Secretariat of Amnesty International is based in offices in more than 10 countries around the globe. The IS provides key services in support of Amnesty International.

Amnesty International (AI) is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights.

AI’s vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.

In pursuit of this vision, AI’s mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human rights.

AI is independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion. It does not support or oppose any government or political system, nor does it support or oppose the views of the victims whose rights it seeks to protect. It is concerned solely with the impartial protection of human rights.

AI has a varied network of members and supporters around the world. At the latest count, there were more than 1.8 million members, supporters and subscribers in over 150 countries and territories in every region of the world. Although they come from many different backgrounds and have widely different political and religious beliefs, they are united by a determination to work for a world where everyone enjoys human rights.

AI is a democratic, self-governing movement. Major policy decisions are taken by an International Council made up of representatives from all national sections.

AI’s national sections and local volunteer groups are primarily responsible for funding the movement. No funds are sought or accepted from governments for AI’s work investigating and campaigning against human rights violations.

About WorkPace^®

WorkPace^® is a program developed to prevent injuries that can result from using a computer.

By combining micropauses, rest breaks and exercises, WorkPace is proven to help prevent and aid recovery from Repetitive Strain Injury (also known as RSI, OOS and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome).

The software provides an integrated health and safety solution for computer users, with break, stretch and exercise reminders, safe computer usage training, monitoring of discomfort levels, and statistics on computer use.

WorkPace also provides sophisticated management and reporting tools and support for organization-wide network installation, enabling unrivalled proactive Health & Safety risk management.

Available in multiple languages, and for Windows, Unix and Macintosh, WorkPace is used by more than a million users in over 20 countries.