Providing your employees with ergonomic workstations is crucial if you want to increase their comfort at work and minimise the risk of work-related health concerns and ailments they may suffer from in the future. It is no secret that back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and even headaches can be caused by poor posture in front of the computer screen. Although ergonomic chairs have significantly grown in popularity in recent years, more and more attention is also being paid to ergonomic desks.
What is an ergonomic desk?
In short, an ergonomic desk is a type of office furniture designed to protect its users from injuries and discomfort. Thanks to its carefully-designed shape, the possibility to set up the desk height and dimensions, which allow users to keep their laptop, monitor, mouse, keyboard and other equipment positioned at the optimal distance from their body, the desk provides its users with maximum comfort, which is very important, especially if you want to ensure your employees’ productivity.
What features should an ergonomic desk have?
Even though ergonomic desks are popping up in all kinds of brick-and-mortar and online furniture shops, many of them have nothing in common with genuine ergonomics. Calling something ‘ergonomic’ is a popular marketing trick that aims to make products more valuable and, as a result, more expensive.
In order not to make a mistake while purchasing ergonomic desks, here is a list of features they should have:
- Proper size. While choosing the desk, opt for a product that can accommodate all office equipment your employees may need at work. Additionally, check whether there is enough space for their feet, knees and thighs.
- Adjustable height. There is no universal desk height that meets the needs of all employees; therefore, it is recommended to choose adjustable desks. If the desk is too low, the user will stoop. In turn, when it is too high, they may keep their body and head in an unnatural position.
- Monitor stand. Many ergonomic desks are equipped with special shelves or stands for monitors, which help to prevent back and neck pain. Thanks to the stand, the monitor can be positioned directly in front of the user at their eye height.
- Footrest. Some ergonomic chairs may have an additional footrest that aligns posture and eases back, knee, and ankle pain.
Sit-standing desks
Sitting 8 hours a day, 5 days a week (or even more!) is certainly not healthy. This is why, more and more employees are choosing the so-called sit-standing desks, which can be easily switched between sitting and standing modes. Such a desk enables users to easily change their body posture throughout the day to avoid pain and other health issues.
Ergonomic desks and hot desking
Equipping the office with ergonomic desks that meet the individual employees’ needs is neither easy nor cheap. This is why many entrepreneurs introduce changes gradually, starting with only a few ergonomic workstations. To provide all employees with equal access to them, it is recommended to launch a hot desking app. The software enables them to select the best desks within the office to suit their working requirements and adjust the choice of workstations to project-specific needs.
Deski is an innovative desk management software that will revolutionise the organisation of your office work and give your staff members freedom of choice. Want to learn more about our hot desking system? Book a demo, get the trial account, and test it for free!
Choose a desk-booking app with a simple, yet powerful interface. We can help you find an optimal configuration for your office. Booking a desk should be nothing but a single click! Get familiar with Deski – a desktop and mobile web app with real-time reservations. Set your own reservation rules and separate office space – it’s all up to you! If you have any questions about our hot-desking solution, let us know!