Stand up desks are all the rage at present, and for some very valid reasons. The health effects of sedentary work are now well documented, and it is reasonable to expect that all new offices in ten years time will be equipped with adjustable work equipment.
But do you need sit/stand desks to increase office activity?
I get this question often from employers not capable of the capital expense of stand up desks, or not convinced of the value of this investment. Their hesitation is well warranted. At a minimum (for a descent slap on your existing desk model) of $600 per worker it is a considerable investment. We know through research that giving workers sit/stand desks without the proper education results in poor utilisation and an increase risk of leg and back pain.
So is it really worth the investment?
It is. Stand up desks are a great tool to increase office activity and are a great investment in worker health and productivity. The key is giving workers the right education, guidelines and ergonomic training to ensure the desk is utilised and most importantly utilised safely.
But, it is not just the lack of sit/stand desks in your office that is keeping workers glued to their seats. To be active or not is a choice, and it is up to managers to make being active an acceptable and expected choice in their workplace.
If stand up desks aren’t yet in the budget, that is no excuse for having a sedentary workforce. You can get your office moving in simple, cost effective ways. Here’s some tips:
- Start at the top: what is important to the leaders in the business will become important to rest. Make office activity a discussion point at meetings, have signs encouraging stair use and praise and reward workers for activity.
- Stretch breaks: schedule time everyday for your workers to be out of their chairs and moving. At the A&L Windows|Doors ‘Active Office’ a dynamic stretch track plays at least twice per day. It is mandatory for workers to get out of their chairs and do the dynamic stretches.
- No bins at desks: this simple change to central bins will mean workers have to get up every time they want to remove rubbish from their desk.
- Hold sit/stand meetings: encourage workers to be out of their chairs in meetings. Make it the norm and acceptable.
By starting with simple steps like this, your office will be better prepared for when stand up desks are in the budget and this will ensure the desks are utilised.
Start your business down the ‘Active Office’ path. Your workers will thank you for it and you will be rewarded with better morale, improved productivity and a healthier workforce.
