Support from the employer
Not every employer allows his employees a height-adjustable desk according to German statutory accident insurance, only every third person does so. Even if the employee is not legally obligated to provide a height-adjustable desk, he should be concerned about the well-being of the employees. One can however try to convince the employer with the known advantages of an ergonomic workplace.
For example, an increased productivity when working in a standing position has been observed. But also people with known chronic back pain, which is one of the most common reasons for sick leave or rehabilitation treatment, could try to convince the employer that this sick leave could possibly be avoided or at least reduced by working in a standing or sitting position that is easy on the back. An ergonomic workplace with a height-adjustable desk is thus worthwhile for the employer in the long term.
Some employers already have contracts with fitness studios or offer their own courses on prevention as a supplement. Furthermore it could be shown that the possible change between working in standing and sitting position and the consideration by the employer has a positive effect on the mood of the employees. If an employee gets recognition by setting up an ergonomic workplace, he is more satisfied and thus more productive.
Ergonomic office chair
The ergonomic office chair is the perfect complement to the height-adjustable desk. It supports and relieves the user’s back and should yield slightly when sitting down, so that the force on the spine is cushioned. It should also have at least five castors to prevent it from rolling away and tipping over.
This should also not happen when leaning far back. The backrest should be adapted to the shape of the spine, i.e. have a concave curvature to relieve it. An ergonomic office chair can also have armrests that provide relaxation for the neck and shoulder area by resting the arms.
They should be height-adjustable so that they can be individually adjusted to suit the user. There are also precise specifications for the height of the seat (adjustable between 42 and 50cm), the seat depth (38 to 44cm) and the seat width (36 to 48cm). Alternative seating furniture can be a supplement to the ergonomic office chair, but cannot replace it.
For example, there are stools that can be leaned against when using the height-adjustable desk. However, these alternative pieces of furniture must also meet the requirements of an ergonomic office chair and be tilt and roll away resistant.
