Abstract
The purpose of the study is to investigate and uncover the impact work design and ergonomics have on employee productivity in an academic working environment. Human beings have been working since the beginning of time and work has evolved and transformed since. Now we are in the fourth industrial revolution and the employment sector is still in transformation. Humans are either negatively or positively impacted by the job they engage in on a daily basis and this research aims to unravel whether that impact negative or positive does it increase or decrease employee productivity in the workplace and in an environment of academia. The study also aims to suggest solutions on how to improve work design and ergonomics in an academic environment and to recommend possible strategies on how employee can perform better given the proper working conditions and work design. The Labour relations act, occupational health and safety act and the basic conditions of employment act provides employees and employers in the 21st century guidelines, rules and laws on how the employment sector should run nowadays but the research study aims to unravel whether these acts are being followed thoroughly or not and if employers are adhering to these laws which inevitably if adhered to product happier workers and healthier workers with no back pain and spine problems due to incorrect working conditions.