Should your office invest in adjustable desks?

For most office workers, our jobs require long periods of time sat at our desks in front of computers. In fact, the average Brit spends 9 hours a day sitting. Whilst this may be the norm, there is mounting evidence that a sedentary lifestyle can create some very serious health risks.

To combat this occupational hazard, adjustable sit-stand desks are the latest trend in the modern office. These desks can be adjusted to different heights, allowing staff to work on their computers from both a sitting and standing position, thus improving circulation and reducing the effects of prolonged sitting. But what implications do these desks have for Facilities Managers?

  • Cost
    Cost is an obvious consideration as sit stand desks represent a considerably higher initial investment than a traditional static desk. These desks also require maintenance as there are moving parts and often electric motors.
  • Positioning
    Are these desks to be provided to everyone, or just in dedicated areas? Are cleaners responsible for returning these desks to the same height every night for aesthetics and if so, what impact will that have on their productivity?
  • Safety
    What happens if someone spills a glass of water over the desk’s motor? Do they need to be PAT tested?

Maintaining a healthy office environment

As professional contract cleaners, it is our job to ensure that our clients’ offices are as clean and healthy as possible. The growing trend towards improving workplace wellbeing is great for employees, but also employers as they gain higher productivity and loyalty from their staff.

The trend for adjustable desks in the UK originated in Scandinavia. Whereas historically Work places in the UK rely almost entirely on “ordinary” sit-down desks, 90% of Scandinavian offices have access to adjustable desks.

Research co-commissioned by Public Health England and published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reveals that those who sit for prolonged periods of time throughout the day are at a heightened risk of developing serious health problems, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Since office workers spend on average 5 hours 41 minutes sat at their desks a day, the movement to get Britain off of their feet and moving was born!

Since standing up improves our blood circulation and consequently makes us more alert and energetic, our ability to perform tasks is significantly enhanced, making us more productive. Since sit-stand desks give workers the opportunity to stand up during the day, they are increasingly being looked at as a possible means to keep office workers healthier, happier and more productive – something CCS, professional cleaners in Bristol, Bath and the SW work hard to achieve, as well as providing the highest standards of cleanliness throughout your office.

What you can do to improve your health in the office?

As well as using adjustable desks, there are a number of other actions that you can take in the office to reduce the amount of time spent standing and get  little more exercise:

  • Stand while taking calls
  • Swap an email or call to a coworker in the same office and walk to their desk instead
  • Choose to stand on public transport while commuting to work
  • Use tea and lunch breaks as an opportunity to stretch your legs – it’s worth noting that eating away from your desk is also much more hygienic too!
  • Instead of a choosing to watch TV, read or another sedentary hobby when you’re not in the office, choose more active hobbies. You’ll feel much better for it!

How we can help

Our office cleaning teams have extensive experience of delivering exceptional cleaning solutions and other maintenance services for commercial, educational and other establishments. Our professional cleaners are extensively trained to ensure that they meet our impeccably high standards.

If you would like further information about our services or how we can help your establishment, contact us on 0800 4488026.