Ergonomic Seating

The average worker spends more than 13 years of their life at the office, which equates to a lot of time sitting. Yet study after study shows that sitting for extended periods can lead to numerous health problems, which is precisely why ergonomic seating is necessary for every office. Poor office seating can lead to back pain, employee dissatisfaction, and a reduction in productivity.

Ergonomics, or the science of designing and arranging workplaces, products, and systems so they fit the people who use them, is a crucial factor when picking the right office chair for your organization. Don’t worry. Finding the right ergonomic seat is not difficult if you know what to look for. We are here to help.

What is an ergonomic office chair?

Simply put, it is a chair designed for long-term comfort while seated at work. Ergonomic chairs support the body when sitting at a desk, in a lounge area, or conference room. Ergonomic seating helps improve posture, support the back, distribute weight, increase worker comfort, reduce fatigue, and allow for movement.

Studies have shown that comfortable employees are more productive and contribute to a more positive work environment than uncomfortable employees. Having the correct, comfortable office chair reduces the number of breaks the employee will need to take due to being uncomfortable.

Sitting in chairs that were not designed with ergonomics in mind can cause several health risks. They can increase back, neck, and shoulder pain; increase your risk for cardiovascular disease; increase your blood sugar levels and risks for type 2 diabetes; increase mental health issues like chronic depression and anxiety, and increase your risk for early death (a U.K. study calculated the risk of early death in association with prolonged sitting to be 49% higher in those who had the greatest sedentary time compared to those with the lowest).

A report also found that a significant percentage of workplace-related injuries are linked to outdated and unsafe workplace furniture.

Ergonomic seating products take these problems into consideration. Not all ergonomic seating products are created equally.

Here are a few features to look for when shopping for an ergonomic chair:

• Height Adjustability — Look for a chair that is adjustable or automatically adjusts to the user. It is critical that the worker can adjust the height of the chair so he or she can sit with their feet flat on the floor, knees at a 90-degree angle to the floor, and parallel to the hips. At a minimum, good ergonomic seating allows the user to adjust the seat height.
• Additional Support Structures — Additional options often include, back tilt, seat depth adjustment, lumbar support, and adjustable armrests. Some ergonomic seating automatically adjusts to the user while others allow the user to set the chair up to their individual liking since finding the right posture for safe, long-term work sessions is often a matter of personal preference.
• High-Quality Padding and/or Mesh — Good ergonomic seating uses quality materials such as robust padding that does not compress or become thin over time. The cushioning material should provide the right balance of firmness and conformity to the user. It should be soft enough to be comfortable, but not so soft that the worker sinks into the chair. Many modern ergonomic office chairs use mesh instead of foam to cradle the office worker and increase circulation.
• A Solid Frame — A good ergonomic office chair includes a sturdy frame that supports the back and seat. Adjustment levers are commonly found under the seat pan and along the armrests. Frames are usually made from a combination of sturdy plastic, metal, and occasionally wood.

Ergonomic office chairs come at a variety of prices. Price does not always equate to value, meaning not every expensive ergonomic office chair is worth the price, and not every bargain chair is a value. Since ergonomic office chairs can prevent so many problems, they should be seen by companies as an important investment in worker health and wellness.

Though ergonomic seating is designed to be adjusted to fit 90% of the population, offices must consider the 10% whose body shape is outside the typical range. A short or petite worker may benefit from a small office chair with a reduced seat size so their knees can bend comfortably and rise high enough that their arms are horizontal to the desk. A worker who is very tall or overweight may need a chair with a steel substructure that can cope with the worker’s extra size. Heavy duty office chairs start at a seated weight of 150kg and go up. Bariatric chairs start at a seated weight of 200kg and hold up to 300kg.

Ergonomics matters, especially to workers. According to a study from Kelton Global, 92% of respondents said that an inadequate workplace would negatively affect their mental health and productivity. Ergonomic furniture increases employee engagement. According to the same Kelton Global study, more than half of American workers believe that having an uncomfortable workspace would cause them displeasure at work.

Ergonomic seating does not work on its own. It is just one piece in a larger ergonomic plan that includes a proper desk, monitor, and office design. If you want to maximize the benefits of an ergonomic office, also consider height-adjustable desks, ergonomic keyboards, and computer monitors that pivot or tilt.

Employees have a role to play in proper ergonomics as well. Even with the best ergonomic seating, workers should get up and move at least once per hour. When seated workers should have ergonomics in mind as well. Don’t cross your legs, remember to keep both feet on a flat surface and keep your shoulders and your back straight.

An excellent quality ergonomic office chair is an investment in the comfort and safety of employees. For employers, ergonomic seating will provide a good return on investment by creating a happy, healthy, and productive work environment.