New research is increasingly showing the health and productivity benefits of providing sit, stand up desks to workers. While there is an initial cost for the sit, stand desk the research shows that this is recovered in improved productivity, reduced absenteeism and improved employee satisfaction.
A Deakin University economic evaluation into sit-stand desks show they are “good value for money”. Workers were provided with sit-stand desks as part of a 12-month trial led by the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute.
Deakin health economic researcher Dr Lan Gao said:
-too much sitting time was a critical health issue for the 45% of Australian employees who worked at desks, and was associated with serious health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease
-too much sitting was associated with reduced life expectancy
-“our evaluation shows that the introduction of sit-stand desks, alongside associated supports, is a cost effective and innovative way to promote the health of Australia’s workforce”
Melbourne office worker Alexandra Post said she was convinced working at a sit-stand desk helped her to be more productive. The recruitment company employee said she had noticed herself becoming drowsy after a few hours of sitting at her desk and becoming less productive. Standing up and working gave her more energy and focus as well as helping prevent, or alleviate, the back and neck pain she was prone to, she said. “I am more productive at work because of it, and it has helped my overall health, “ Ms Post said.
Read the full article on the Baker Institute website at:
https://www.baker.edu.au/news/in-the-media/sit-stand-diabetes
