Member Article

4 in 5 British workers spend between four and nine hours at their desks every day

New research has found that 4 in 5 (81%) UK office workers spend between four and nine hours sitting at their desks each day, equating to an average of 67 sedentary days per person each year.

The study, conducted by office equipment specialists, Fellowes, polled over 1,250 UK office workers. They found that almost half (45%) admitted sitting at their desk for six to nine hours, while a further third (36%) spent between four to six hours sedentary.

What may shock HR bosses most is, despite the health risks associated to long periods of sitting down, almost half (45%) of those surveyed said they didn’t think their employer cared about their health and wellbeing in the workplace. While the same percentage said their employers didn’t offer the correct tools and equipment to make them feel comfortable at their desks. On top of this, a huge 64% claimed their office environment also had a negative impact on their health.

Ergonomic expert, Stephen Bowden, said:

“These findings are extremely concerning. British businesses have an obligation to look out for their employees’ health and wellbeing, failure to do so can result in injury, illness, as well as poor productivity output. One simple way to do this is by ensuring workers have access to the necessary ergonomic equipment, including sit-stand desks, foot, wrists and back supports, to prevent aches and pains and mental distress.”

The research also showed that a staggering 85% claimed better ergonomic equipment in the office would improve their wellbeing. It was also discovered that a quarter (25%) believed that being uncomfortable at work means they ache at the end of the days, whilst roughly the same percentage (26%) agreed that it stops them being productive.

Office equipment specialists Fellowes’ own research with three groups of sedentary office workers supports these findings, with all respondents commenting that they felt more productive after using ergonomic equipment, including sit-stand desks, after just four weeks. Half of the respondents also commented that they had noticed positive changes in their general wellbeing, noting they felt more comfortable at their desks and more energetic throughout the day

The same research also found that over a quarter (26%) of UK office workers didn’t know that it is a legal requirement for businesses to undertake regular workstation risk assessments.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Adam White .