Though sit-stand desks have been a growing global trend for some time, there still are a lot of businesses that have not made the switch. That means a lot of people and the companies they work for are missing out on the potential benefits from adding movement to the workplace. In an article for the Society for Human Resource Management, James Levine, Director of Obesity Solutions for the Mayo Clinic and the Arizona State University, highlights that the typical return on investment is between $3 and $7 for every $1 invested in workplace interventions that help people be more active on the job1 So sit-stand desks are a win-win for employers.
If you or your company have not made the switch yet, or if you are thinking about adding sit-stand desks to your upcoming design projects, feel free to explore and share our latest videos highlighting these benefits.
This video highlights how your current workspace could slow your employees down if it is not height-adjustable.
Supporting Efficiency
A study with 50 participating university students examining the effect of standing as opposed to sitting, the participants were able to respond faster when standing than when they were sitting2. And physical activity appears to improve cognitive abilities despite people’s actual health conditions. In this way, a US study found that physical activity had a significant positive influence on the mental processing and performance for both healthy and ill persons, when they compared the effect of physical activity for persons with and without Parkinson’s disease.3
This video shows how bringing movement to the office space can help promote a comfortable workspace that promotes wellness and reduces sick days.
Improving Attendance
In a long-term case study ranging over 6 years, a German-based global company provided some employees with sit-stand desks and ergonomic training. Employees stated by 65 percent (3-month survey) and 70 percent (6-year survey), respectively, that they felt improved well-being - despite more computer usage. In addition, the number of reported sick days due to, e.g., back pain declined by 60 percent. The company found that the return on investment (ROI) for their investment was equivalent to 10 EUR per 1 EUR spent (for the sit-stand desks and ergonomic training).4
This video shows how workspaces should be designed to help employees get their jobs done instead of helping keep you from your work.
Enhancing Productivity
Another study compared the effect of sit-stand desks vs. traditional static desks in a call center over a 6-month-period. The scientists found that a work force with stand-capable desks was 45 percent more productive on a daily basis compared to their seated colleagues – and that productivity significantly increased over time.5
This video shows how height-adjustable desks help make your workspace more inviting for collaboration.
Promoting Collaboration
Good ideas and solutions often come up spontaneously. A raised desk can become a quick and easy meeting spot for discussion. While flexible workstations stimulate employees to move at work, they also provide the opportunity for an atmosphere of employee collaboration. With quick meetings and more agility, employees are automatically stimulated to use their sit-stand desk more – so it is a win-win situation for more collaboration and more movement throughout the office day.
This video shows how sit-stand desks can reduce employee sick days and help them reach their health goals.
Improving Health
The motivation for standing up during the day is crucial when office workers should move more. Habits are hard to change, so a Danish study researched methods for motivation and found that reminders had the greatest effect in motivating office workers to use their sit-stand desk. In this way, reminders doubled the time among “light users” (those standing up 20 percent or less during their working day).6 This tendency is further stated by a practical case study carried out for LINAK by the German ‘Institut für Gesundheit und Ergonomie’ which proved that office workers with sit-stand desks, equipped with “sit-stand reminder kits”, significantly improved the use of their desk and became more active during their working day.7
This video highlights how sit-stand desks can reduce stress and other mental health issues.
Reducing Stress
Research by the University of Tasmania on over 3,000 participants, as part on a larger health research project, found that sitting for more than 6 hours per day not only negatively affects physical well-being but also increases the risk of mental health issues.8
Ready to get your company moving?
One of the best ways to get your company moving is to make the switch to height-adjustable desks. Including the right sit-stand desk with reminder functions and intuitive design in your workplace can be a great way to jump start an employee wellness program. But one thing to keep in mind is that movement can be anywhere you are in the office space.
From one-leg stands to multi-leg conference room tables, the possibilities of how you can bring movement into your office designs are almost endless. The key thing to consider is where will people be spending their time. They likely will not spend all their time at their desk. Between meetings, collaborations and socializing that takes place in a workspace, there are many areas where motion can be brought into designs to promote flexibility in the environment. Get your company moving.
References
- Lytle, T. (2017, February 22). Promote an Active Workforce with Standing Desks. Retrieved from Society for Human Resource Management: https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-magazine/0317/pages/promote-an-active-workforce-with-standing-desks.aspx
- Rosenbaum, D., Mama, Y., & Algom, D. (2017). Stand by Your Stroop: Standing Up Enhances Selective Attention and Cognitive Control. Psychological Science
- Hazamy, A., Altmann, L., Stegemöller, E., Bowers, D., Lee, H. K., Wilson, J., . . . Hass, C. (2017, Apr). Improved Cognition While Cycling in Parkinson’s Disease Patients and Healthy Adults. Brain Cogn.(113), 23-31.
- Healy, G., Lawler, S., Thorp, A., Neuhaus, M., Robson, E., Owen, N., & Dunstan, D. (2012). Reducing prolonged sitting in the workplace. An evidence review: full report. Melbourne, Australia: Victorian Health Promotion Foundation.
- Garrett, G., Benden, M., Mehta, R., Pickens, A., Peres, S., & Zhao, H. (2016). Call Center Productivity Over 6 Months Following a Standing Desk Intervention. IIE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, 2-3, pp. 188-195
- Institut für Gesundheit und Ergonomie. (2018). Measuring the effect of sit-stand reminders. LINAK.
- KL. 7 (2017): Making office workers healthier: A public health intervention making office workers use their height-adjustable office desks more, conducted for LINAK
- Kilpatrick, M., Sanderson, K., Blizzard, L., Teale, B., & Venn, A. (2013). Cross-sectional associations between sitting at work and psychological distress: Reducing sitting time may benefit mental health. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 6(2), 103-109.
