More than half of today’s workforce is dealing with pain, and it’s not all coming from the office. While workplace injuries and poor ergonomics are common culprits, a growing number of employees are being impacted by injuries sustained off the clock.
Whether it’s from weekend pickleball, morning runs, home improvement projects, or a ski trip gone wrong, leisure-time injuries are quietly affecting how people show up at work, and employers can’t afford to ignore them.
When Life Outside Work Affects Performance at Work
Chris’s Story: Pain on the Job
Chris is a firefighter who’s passionate about fitness. During the annual Memorial Day Murph Challenge (a grueling workout: 1-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, and another 1-mile run), he strained his knee on the final run.
He returned to work the next day but couldn’t ignore how much his knee pain impacted his mobility, focus, and confidence—especially during emergency calls.
“I didn’t want to admit it, but I was distracted. My knee was all I could think about on that call.”– Chris
Taylor’s Story: Desk Discomfort
Taylor is an HR benefits coordinator who does Pilates four times a week. During a recent session, she accidentally overextended her arm while using the reformer and started feeling radiating pain from her shoulder to her neck.
At her desk the next day, holding the phone or typing for long stretches was difficult. She had to frequently pause to stretch, losing focus and productivity.
“I thought I was fine until I realized I couldn’t even get through a Zoom call without fidgeting from discomfort.”– Taylor
Why Employees Should Care
Chris and Taylor were both injured outside of work, but they were suffering at work. And they’re not alone.
According to the CDC, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the most common causes of lost productivity and disability. While many MSDs stem from job-related strain, research increasingly shows that off-the-clock injuries are a major contributor to both absenteeism and presenteeism.
The hidden cost of off-the-clock injuries:
- Reduced productivity from chronic pain or limited mobility
- Increased absenteeism for doctor visits, therapy, or recovery
- Mental fatigue from managing constant discomfort
- Higher healthcare costs, especially when minor injuries worsen from lack of support
Why Employers Should Care
Most employees won’t mention they tweaked their knee during a pickup basketball game or strained their back lifting mulch on a Saturday. They may worry they’ll be seen as unreliable or think it’s not relevant to work.
But ignoring these injuries can backfire. Without proper support, employees may:
- Compensate by shifting posture or workload, risking secondary injuries
- Fall behind in performance due to limited mobility or concentration
- Be more vulnerable to on-the-job accidents, especially in physical roles
The impact is real, even if it doesn’t show up in workers’ comp claims.
Solveglobal Is Your Solution
Off-the-clock injuries don’t clock out. That’s why Solveglobal provides the only comprehensive musculoskeletal solution that addresses injuries no matter where they occur.
Whether your team is lifting weights or lifting laptops, we help employees move and feel their best before small aches become bigger problems.
If you’re an employee with Solveglobal as a benefit:
Reach out to your member therapist today and get ahead of pain before it affects your work or life.
If you’re an employer:
