The rise of the stand-up desk

Do you have many people using stand-up desks in your business? More than a growing trend, stand up desks are becoming increasingly popular, with workers citing the improved health and productivity benefits of standing, as opposed to sitting all day. Studies have shown that opting for a stand-up desk can add two years to your life expectancy, reduce the risk of obesity and reduce to risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. So what do you need to bear in mind if you are choosing a stand up desk?

As it can take a bit of time to adjust to using a stand-up desk, it’s probably best to start off with a low-mid range model, rather than invest in a more expensive option if you find it’s not something you want to stick with. Another idea is to purchase a stand-up desk for a certain area within your business that people can choose to use as ad-hoc, as investing in new desks for the entire business can be a costly exercise.

You could choose a desk that had a standing/sitting option such as the Jarvis Bamboo desk, which is proving to be incredibly popular in Australia. This desk is electric height adjustable and has a minimalist design.

Some tips from clearhrconsulting.com suggest things to consider when choosing a stand-up desk for your business:

• Getting an ergonomic assessment done once the desks have been integrated into your office, to ensure that the desk is set up correctly and will not contribute to head and neck or joint stiffness.
• Get a medical assessment from a doctor for staff prior to using the desk to ensure staff have no pre-existing conditions.
• Ease into the use of the stand-up desk gradually, building up from 30 minutes at a time to a whole days usage. It can take getting used to!
• Investing in accessories such as an anti-fatigue mat or stability board for feet and back.

Stand-up desks may not necessarily be the answer for your business, however they could be a useful tool. You may choose to also include activities that promote regular movement in your office such as lunch time walks and walking meetings.

Should you have any questions with regards to workstation ergonomic assessments, speak to the HR Consulting team at Flexi Personnel.