Making Pounds and Sense: The ROI of Anti-Fatigue Mats

Reducing costs while increasing output isn’t just smart business—it’s the natural outcome of better ergonomics. Anti fatigue mats do more than cushion hard floors. They initiate a ripple effect that enhances performance, mitigates risk, and strengthens your bottom line. Here’s how.

1. Cut Workers’ Compensation Claims at the Source

In 2023/24, approximately 543,000 UK workers suffered from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), leading to an estimated 7.8 million working days lost. Prolonged standing on hard surfaces is a significant contributor to these injuries. Introducing high-quality anti-fatigue matting alleviates discomfort in the lower back, legs, and joints, helping to prevent these costly injuries before they occur.

• Estimated cost of work-related injuries and ill health in the UK: £21.6 billion annually
• Average cost of one anti fatigue standing mat: £50–£150

Equipping 10 workstations with durable mats can cost under £1,500. Preventing just one injury can offset this investment—and deliver tangible savings.

2. Reduce Absenteeism by Tackling Fatigue

Discomfort leads to fatigue, and fatigue leads to sick days. The average UK employee takes 6.7 sick days per year, up from 3.7 in 2018—costing businesses an additional £5 billion annually. Fatigue in the workplace is a serious productivity drain, often rooted in long periods of standing on hard floors.

A anti fatigue floor mat will help to reduce that strain, keeping employees on their feet—and at work.

Healthy workers show up. Comfort keeps them there.

 

3. Retention Begins with Comfort

Employees don’t leave jobs—they leave discomfort. Replacing a mid-level employee in the UK can cost upwards of £30,000 when you factor in recruitment, onboarding, and lost productivity. That’s especially relevant in high-turnover environments like retail, logistics, and manufacturing.

According to our own survey data, workers report significantly reduced fatigue and fewer complaints of leg pain from standing all day when fatigue mats are used. That improvement in day-to-day comfort plays a key role in reducing churn.

Want your people to stay longer? Make it easier for them to stay standing.

4. Boost Productivity—and Watch ROI Multiply

Anti-fatigue floor mats doesn’t just prevent issues—it enhances performance. By improving circulation and reducing fatigue, mats help workers stay energised and focused.

• Ergonomic improvements can increase productivity by up to 40%
• A £1,500 investment in mats across 10 stations can return 5x in value in the first year

That’s not just a health intervention—it’s a business enabler.

From Cost Centre to Profit Engine

The price of anti-fatigue mats is easy to calculate. The cumulative returns—

✔️ Fewer injuries

✔️ Lower absenteeism

✔️ Better retention

✔️ Higher productivity is harder to ignore.

This isn’t just about preventing fatigue in the workplace. It’s about elevating your workforce with every shift.

Why Distributors Should Champion Anti-Fatigue Mats

Distributors aren’t just product suppliers—they’re problem solvers for their customers. From independent retailers to large-scale manufacturers, business owners are looking for trusted partners who can help them drive productivity, protect their teams, and reduce operational costs.

Anti-fatigue matting offers distributors a unique opportunity to:

• Add value beyond the product by solving real workplace challenges
• Differentiate their offering with safety-led, ergonomically sound solutions
• Strengthen client relationships by supporting customer well-being and retention efforts
• Drive repeat sales through matting upgrades, maintenance, and safety program expansions

By recommending a fatigue floor mat as part of a holistic workplace safety strategy, distributors can position themselves as strategic partners—not just suppliers. It’s not just about selling mats—it’s about enabling your customers to build safer, stronger, and more efficient businesses.