Workers' and Buyers' Perspective on Sit-Stand Workstations

When asking furniture buyers about who has access to sit-stand workstations, only 12% of respondents said that everyone has access to one, while over half of respondents said those who request or need one for medical reasons have access (Zerguine et al. 2022).

Why might only 12% of organizations give everyone access to a sit-stand workstation?

Many respondents said that a reason for not investing in sit-stand workstations was the financial implications it would impose. Another reason for not investing was that it was not a priority for the organization (Zerguine et al. 2022). 

In another study conducted by Zerguine et al. (2021), the barriers and benefits of sit-stand workstations from the perspective of furniture buyers was examined. Some potential barriers found were:  

• Design: Desks would have to be adjusted to the height of the user
• Research: The lack of firm regulations and guidelines
• User motivation: The sit-stand workstation will be used at first, but the motivation will decrease leading to the sit-stand workstation becoming unused

Some benefits found were:

• Sit-stand workstations ease body discomfort and pain because it promotes postural change, so you are not in the same spot for long hours of the day
• Employees felt valued when they were provided with a sit-stand workstation

Chau et al. (2014) examined the worker’s perspectives on sit-stand workstations. Some barriers were:

• Working in an open-plan office: Some stated they felt self-conscious about themselves, they may feel they are disturbing the others in the office, and they felt they are invading their neighbour’s privacy.
• The design of the sit-stand workstation: Some felt that it was less comfortable, as there were difficulties for taller workers, the platform for typing was unstable, and there was less desk space.

Some benefits to using sit-stand workstations from a workers’ perspective were:

• Supportive work environment to normalize standing
• Perceived health benefits
• Perceived work benefits

If you are thinking about using in a sit-stand workstation, CRE-MSD (2020), suggests

• When both sitting and standing, arms should be horizontal with wrists straight, the desk should be at elbow height, and the top of the computer monitor should be at eye level.
• When sitting, the feet should be flat on the floor, with knees and hips at a 90° angle, and the low back should be supported by the back rest. 

Although we want to decrease our sedentary behaviour it is important to note that we should not be strictly standing at the workstation, there needs to be a balance of both sitting and standing. CRE-MSD (2020) states that you should aim for a 1:1 ratio of standing and sitting.

As well, more research needs to be done on sit-stand workstations and the benefits they have.

 References 

Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD). (2020). Sit-Stand Workstations: Change it Up! Msdprevention.com. https://www.msdprevention.com/resource-library/view/msd-quick-start-guide--office-sit-stand-workstations.htm

Chau, J.Y., Daley, M., Srinivasan, A., Dunn, S., Bauman, A.E., & Van der Ploeg, H.P. (2014). Desk-based workers’ perspectives on using sit-stand workstations: a qualitative analysis of the Stand@Work study. BMC Public Health, 14, 752. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-752

Zerguine H., Johnston, V., Healy, G.N., Abbot, A., & Goode, A.D. (2021). Usage of sit-stand workstations: Benefits and barriers from decision maker’s perspective in Australia. Applied Ergonomics, 94. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103426

Zerguine H., Goode, A.D., Abbot, A., Johnston, V., & Healy, G.N. (2022). Factors impacting workplace investment in sit-stand workstations from the perspective of purchasing decision-makers. Applied Ergonomics, 98. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103558