The office worker of the future could have a permanently hunched back, varicose veins and red eyes if changes to work environments are not made, health experts have said.

A report dubbed The Work Colleague Of The Future revealed that more than 90 per cent of UK office workers suffering from work-related health issues have more difficulty doing their job.

Based on the study, a life-size model named "Emma" was created to illustrate how the set up of a work station can lead to office workers physically and visually changing, to cope with a poor office environment.

Times Series:

Behavioural Futurist William Higham unveils a life-sized model named 'Emma'. Photo: Matt Alexander/PA Wire

The doll developed a permanently bent back caused by sitting for hours in a bad position, varicose veins from poor blood flow, a rotund stomach caused by a sedentary position, dry and red eyes from long hours staring at a computer screen and other health conditions.

William Higham, behavioural futurist and author of the report, said: "The Work Colleague Of The Future report shows that employers and workers really need to act now and address the problem of poor workplace health.

"Unless we make radical changes to our working lives, such as moving more, addressing our posture at our desks, taking regular walking breaks or considering improving our work station set up, our offices are going to make us very sick."

Times Series:

Behavioural Futurist William Higham nex to the life-sized model named 'Emma'. Photo: Matt Alexander/PA Wire

The study, commissioned by office equipment supplier Fellowes, which included 3,003 participants from France (1,001), Germany (1,001) and the United Kingdom (1,001), suggested 50 per cent of UK workers interviewed are already suffering from sore eyes, 49 per cent from sore backs and 48 per cent from headaches as a direct result of their work space.

It also indicated that vision problems (32 per cent), weight gain (30 per cent), and persistent headaches and migraines (26 per cent) were the top conditions those in the UK were worried about.