Optimizing the interaction between individuals and their work environment has become increasingly relevant in enhancing employee well-being and driving the overall success of businesses. The goal of this study is to provide information about how ergonomics affects job performance in the tourism and hospitality industry. The full-time staff employees of Egypt’s category (A) travel agencies and five-star hotels were the source of the study’s data. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique of analysis was utilized to explore how ergonomics influences job performance while taking into account the mediating roles of work engagement and talent retention. WarpPLS statistical software version 7.0 was used to analyze the 389 valid replies obtained. The findings revealed that there is a positive relationship between the employees’ perception of ergonomics on their job performance, in addition to the positive relationships between the perception of ergonomics and work engagement and talent retention. The work engagement and talent retention were also found to have a positive relationship with job performance. Furthermore, research revealed that work engagement and talent retention act as mediators between ergonomics and job performance. The results of this research significantly advance the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model theory. The study also offers evidence-based recommendations to organizations in the tourism and hospitality industry, empowering them to establish supportive work environments that enhance the job performance, work engagement, and talent retention. Businesses in this industry could create work environments that prioritize the well-being, comfort, and safety of their employees by embracing ergonomic concepts.