How Long Can You Stand to Sit?

New Survey Shows 'Taking a Stand' at the Office Could Relieve Aches and Pains

There's an epidemic of aches and pains afflicting today's office workers and, according to a new survey by WorkRite(R) Ergonomics, they shouldn't just take this discomfort sitting down.

More than 89 percent of the nearly 500 office workers responding to WorkRite's "How Long Can You Stand to Sit?" survey reported feeling muscle tension or fatigue at least occasionally at the end of their workdays, and a full 16 percent feel this distress on a regular basis. And the solution could be as simple as going from sitting to standing.

While it might be a common assumption that most people would prefer to sit rather than stand during a workday, more than half of survey respondents (57 percent) would spend at least part of their office time standing, if provided the opportunity. Most would love to "take a stand" while meeting with colleagues; although, others would most want to stand while talking on the phone or even working at their computers. Not surprisingly then, the majority of respondents would prefer a desk or workstation that allowed them to make minor adjustments in height (92 percent) and a surface for typing or keyboarding that would allow them to work at a slight angle (82 percent) -- believing that such customized touches would eliminate the majority of their work-related pain.

"Over half of all office workers spend more than six hours each day at their desks, which can feel even longer when you're forced into a position that doesn't suit your body shape," said Derek Timm, special projects manager for WorkRite. "This is comparable to walking around in ill-fitting shoes, or sleeping in a bed that's too small."

According to Timm, the desks, workstations and keyboard platforms that populate most cubicles and offices across the nation are archaic furnishings -- often passed down from one worker to the next. The furniture and accessories offer little room for customization to accommodate variances in height, posture or personal preferences.

WorkRite's new Sonoma Premium(TM) height adjustable work centers are designed specifically to address this issue. According to Timm, with an exceptional height range to accommodate all workers, the Sonoma Premium collection makes it easy for a user to move from a sit to stand position at the touch of a button, or to make minor adjustments throughout the day. An ultra-quiet motor preserves office peace, and customizable work center shapes and sizes allow Sonoma Premium to fit into the floor plan of any existing office space. Sonoma Premium work centers range in price from $1539 to $3522.

The survey also shows that adjustable work centers not only relieve physical aches and pains for workers, but they also can help alleviate management woes of lower productivity. More than two-thirds of respondents to the "How Long Can You Stand to Sit?" study reported the need to leave their desks and stretch their legs at least five times daily. Assuming that each break lasts approximately ten minutes, nearly an hour of potential work time is lost per employee each day.

"Office workers are clearly asking for and in need of height and tilt adjustable furnishings that will allow them to better relieve the stress placed on their bodies at work," said Timm. "WorkRite responds with ergonomic designs that help employees to improve their work quality and morale, and that offer increased productivity and decreased worker's compensation claims to employers."

WorkRite (space 10-152) will exhibit its sit-to-stand Sonoma Premium collection at NeoCon 2005, held at Chicago's Merchandise Mart June 13-15.

WorkRite Ergonomics, Inc. ( http://www.workriteergo.com/ ) produces and sells high-quality creative and innovative ergonomic products for the office workplace. Offering an extensive line of height adjustable work centers and accessory products, the company has representation in all U.S. states and Canada. WorkRite's designs are easy-to-operate ergonomic solutions that can be tailored to any work environment. The company strives to develop flexible, adaptable and reconfigurable products, focusing on healthy workplace.

Source: WorkRite Ergonomics

CONTACT: Heather Hahn, hhahn@lcwa.com , or Christopher Boniface, both of
L.C. Williams & Associates, +1-800-837-7123

Web site: http://www.workriteergo.com/

● Office Furniture Manufacturers ●    ● Office Furniture Dealerships ●    ● Refurbished Office Cubicles ●    ● Installation Services ●
● Moving Companies ●    ● Articles and Tools ●    ● Used Office Furniture ●    ● Independent Manufacturer Representatives ●
● Architects ●    ● Interior Designers ●    ● Office Furniture Main ●    ● Additional Links ●    ● News and Events ●
● Add Your Site ●    ● Site Map ●    ● Advertise on our site ●
● Privacy Policy ●    ● Contact: Webmaster@OfficeFurnitureLinks.com ●    ● Terms and Conditions of Use ●
● © 2005 OfficeFurnitureLinks.com. All rights reserved ●