Background
Methods
Study setting and design
Users recruitment procedure
Qualitative data collection
Individual current and ceased user interviews
Key informant interviews
Qualitative data analysis
Results
Participants
Current (n = 16) | Ceased (n = 6) | |
---|---|---|
Gender | ||
Male | 4 | 5 |
Female | 12 | 1 |
Age range (years) | ||
25–34 | 5 | 3 |
35–44 | 7 | 1 |
45–54 | 3 | 1 |
55–64 | 1 | 1 |
Occupational role | ||
Administration | 3 | 1 |
Lecturer or above | 10 | 4 |
Researcher | 1 | 1 |
Research degree student | 2 | 0 |
Length of SSW use Median (range) | 21 months | 15 months |
5–48 months | 3–24 months | |
Employment arrangements | ||
Full time (1.0) | 11 | 5 |
Part time (0.5 to 0.8) | 5 | 1 |
Qualitative data: SSW current and ceased users
Personal considerations for use/sustainability
Basically I know that sitting all day is not good for you and so when the opportunity presented a couple of years back to get a sit-stand station I thought, well, it can't hurt to have one. At least then I've got the option to not sit. That was pretty much the reason. It wasn't that I found that I was in pain or discomfort or anything sitting for long periods. I just knew that it wasn't good for me so when you've got the option to do something about it; do it. Participant 11 (current user).
Those who had ceased using a SSW had similar reasons regarding their decision to start using one.I’ve heard that sitting is bad for you, and I feel like a hypocrite telling people to stand up if I don’t. Obviously just working in this kind of an environment you kind of - all the bigwigs in the corridor promote standing so we’re just fitting in with culture I guess. Participant 9 (current user).
Ceased users offered a variety of reasons ranging from why their usage gradually lessened over the day, to perceived lack of efficiency/productivity, for not persisting with the SSW.Just to try it and see if it would be a useful way for me to not sit down as much given all the propaganda, hype, information… energy expenditure and health. Participant 16 (ceased user).
….there’s a component of it just sort of fading away and me sitting more, and not really thinking about it. Participant 19 (ceased user).
Participants discussed the design and usability of the SSW, the time of day and the complexity of the tasks being undertaken, their ability to make decisions regarding when to undertake work in a standing position, and their comfort and fatigue levels.I felt that I was far less efficient standing. Again it sounds really odd but I just felt like I couldn’t concentrate well enough. Maybe I just feel better when I’ve got a lot more space, and so having the model that I had, it didn’t have a lot of desk space as such, so I couldn’t spread out my gear. Participant 3 (ceased user).
Task selection by both current and ceased users was a key consideration in whether one would use the desk in a standing position. Many communicated that their preference was to work whilst standing for tasks which required a lower level of concentration or where workflow was not impeded by the space constrictions of the standing workstation.I tend to find that I use it first thing in the morning as soon as I get here. But I tend to - I probably use it half and half. So over the course of an entire day there's just periods where I stand and periods where I sit. So I wouldn't stand all morning or stand all afternoon or anything like that. Participant 11 (current user).
I prefer to use it by task. I don't find it very good for writing and editing work… I don't have enough space around me for my paper and other things, so I find it really good for obviously, video conferences, emails, tasks where I don't need to refer to other publications or something. But I find for editing tasks - real thinking tasks where I need to draw on other resources, I sit. Participant 15 (current user).
In terms of productivity, participants’ views were mixed with no clear indication of decreasing or increasing productivity when using the desk in a standing position.The only time I really used it for standing is when I didn’t need to think in a lot of detail, which seems really silly. But I found that I couldn’t concentrate very well when I was standing to use it. But also if I needed any other materials. So if I needed to read off a document or hard copies of things, then it wasn’t useful because there was limited space. Participant 3 (ceased user).
Many of the users reported an awareness of their own comfort and fatigue in both standing and sitting postures despite most users reporting that they have never received or sought to understand basic ergonomic and workplace injury risk principles. Postural awareness was mentioned by a few participants which suggests that some have an understanding of appropriate office ergonomics and safe workstation use.I think productivity would be lower, because it’s inconvenient you know to have to change heights to be able to do different tasks, or be able to read different pieces of paper. A lot of the tasks were neutral yeah, if it was just standing stuff, that I didn’t need to refer to pages that were lower down, then it didn’t matter. Participant 18 (ceased user).
A number of the female participants reported footwear selection being a key consideration for enabling work to be undertaken standing. This illustrates that participants, not only value working in comfort and possibly understand the implications on their body if they choose to wear what they consider inappropriate footwear, but that they are also willing to implement a behavioural change to ensure they can work in a standing position.….after a period of time my feet get sore. Then I get back to a sitting position and I sit for longer than I should and then I remind myself again that I need to get back up into a standing position to do something. Participant 6 (current user).
Elements of ergonomics, safety and health relative to SSW were mentioned both directly and/or indirectly. Many of the users spoke about positive associations with their health and wellbeing status through using a SSW.Sometimes it can be a little bit uncomfortable just on the soles of my feet. I typically now wear flat shows because it's pretty uncomfortable to stand in high heels all day, or any kind of heel actually. The other thing I do is take my shoes off sometimes, because it's more comfortable to stand in bare feet. So I think it makes me choose my shoes differently, because I think standing in any kind of heel all day is not comfortable at all. Participant 20 (current user).
Overall, users were quite forthcoming about their personal considerations for sustained use or not. Other factors discussed by some participants included the positive psychosocial associations in using the workstation, cognitive demands and mood status.Because of the ergonomics, because human beings aren't meant to sit as far as I'm concerned. The spine's not designed for sitting; it's designed for standing and walking. People tend to get into bad postures when they're sitting. It's just the nature of the beast and I'm sitting now and my shoulders slumped forward and arched back. The body's not designed to sit. Participant 21 (current user).
Posture
Many of the participants made mention of moving whilst standing with reference to discomfort from static standing and the potential of this becoming a health issue.I think it’s just - it’s just postural I guess. I do tend to hunch a lot when I sit. So it’s just me being conscious about my body getting into that position that prompts me to want to stand up a little bit more. The upper back, upper mid-back I suppose, your shoulders as well as around the neck. Participant 17 (current user).
The opinions of users regarding their musculoskeletal disorder risk when sitting or standing was somewhat varied, however there was a general sense that their risk of injury was higher when working in a seated posture. Participants commented that the risks were highest for the neck, shoulder and back regions when sitting.I would say that I plant the feet and stand in that one position, then basically after a little while, when it gets sore, I'll move my feet around and come back to that position. Participant 6 (current user).
When adopting a standing posture, participants spoke about their knowledge and understanding that there might also be musculoskeletal disorder risks present to areas of the lower body. A lack of understanding of what some of the risks are was evident within a number of the responses.Probably back, I guess, just from a postural perspective, you know, sitting all day can't be - it can't be good for you. And, yeah, I'd say probably back, maybe neck depending on what you're doing, you know, if you're leaning over your desk or writing all day kind of scenario. Participant 11 (current user).
Those who had ceased use of their SSW, provided various reasons as to why this was the case. Some commented on anthropometric issues such as the uppermost height of the workstation not being adequate for accommodating their personal use. Others questioned if there was value in using the SSW if static standing was adopted when operating in the standing position.I’m not really sure what the risks are. Certainly in my experience it's been probably pooling of blood in your calves and a bit of aching around your feet and ankles. But that’s all I really notice and I guess there’s probably some risks to standing too much as well, perhaps lower back pain for some people, but it certainly hasn’t been something that I’ve experienced. Participant 20 (current user).
Other factors related to comfort included the effect that a warmer day might have on their time spent standing, and the use of ergonomic office aids such as a keyboard support providing assistance with comfort levels within their workspace.I also have issues with how good standing in one place for a long period of time is for people in terms of health. I’m not too sure that that’s an ideal alternative to sitting, which is basically what you have to do at a standing desk. I mean you can shuffle around a bit but - and I think in the past, probably in days gone by, people who had jobs where they had to stand a lot or move around, nurses and waitresses and things like that, often used to have issues with the lower limbs. That seems to - I don’t know where that’s gone these days, but I still think that maybe static standing itself may not be ideal. Participant 19 (ceased user).
Usability
Some participants reported having a basic level of knowledge and understanding of the key ergonomic considerations of using a SSW. There were a low number of participants who had not sought to understand the requirements or key ergonomic principles linked to a safe workspace in order to mitigate their exposure to musculoskeletal hazards through either internal or external resources. A small number of participants had spoken about undertaking internet searches to upskill their knowledge and understanding.None. Not in regards to getting given a standing desk. Participant 1 (ceased user).Yeah, we’ve done basic stuff in part of the induction when we first started the job but that was it. There’s this stuff that’s floating around on the noticeboards… Participant 22 (ceased user).
I’ve never really thought about it. I guess I’m satisfied with my knowledge but in saying that I’m sure there’s probably a lot more that I might need to know. Participant 12 (current user).
When it came to setting up their workspaces and using the SSW, a number of users ensured they took their comfort into account.I thought I did but probably - well it’s probably really never been high on my list of concerns…. I’ve received no formal training in how to use a standing desk and maybe I should have….we were just asked did we want one, and they were installed, and that’s pretty much it. Not that they’re very technical or challenging to use, but you just kind of make the assumption that you know how to use it. Participant 2 (current user).
Haven’t been given any training at all or any advice about using the desk, I’ve just used my own common sense. If I feel uncomfortable I sit down. I know that standing up all the time is not a great thing either. So I just use my own common sense and listen to my body. But I haven’t actually been provided with any formal training or anything whatsoever. Participant 20 (current user).
Aspects of adaptation to a workspace were spoken about by current users, typically to improve functionality. Some current users were willing to modify their work behaviours and forgo some functionality of their workspace so they could continue to use their SSW. Many users believed that the positives of having the option to be able to operate across a working day between a seated or standing position, outweighed the negative of the loss of a fully functional workspace.I just go with comfort like whatever feels comfortable I think. But there's no - I can't think of any particular way I would set it up. Participant 4 (current user).
Of the ceased users, it was reported by some that the lack of usability and loss of workspace were key factors in their decision to stop using the SSW and removing it from their workspace.I find standing is fine, but it’s this style of desk whereby, as I said, you have nowhere to put paper at eye-level or even reasonably close. It's got to be down on the desk so I don't find that useful but whereas I've seen different standing desks that actually have space for you to put your paperwork, which is near your keyboard, and so it looks like it's a more useable kind of set-up. But I don't go home from work every day feeling uncomfortable. If I did that I wouldn't use it in the way that I use it. So it works for me but it's - I know that there are better systems than what I've got and the ultimate would be to have an actual desk that moves up and down. Participant 4 (current user).
Nearly all users conveyed both positive and negative factors regarding their evaluation of the workspace modifications required to ensure they could undertake their work.No that’s why I got rid of it. It was just taking up so much space and even when I had it in the lower position to sit, you still had the keyboard in the way and it was just a nuisance. The particular model I had I thought it was easy enough to lift to adjust the height of the unit, but just the space it gave you in regards to having – even where you placed your mouse in regards to the keyboard or any documents that you needed were a bit of a challenge. Participant 3 (ceased user).
Other factors which participants raised included furniture placement within the workspace, the functionality of the modular style workstations, and the lack of a subject matter expert to ensure that their workspace was safe and ergonomically friendly for use. Current users also expressed concerns about having an optimum setup for their workspace, so use could be ongoing and sustainable, to address issues including accessories such as adequate cable lengths, additional furniture placement and overall functionality of the workspace.Things fall off the side. There's not enough room for my documents right next to where I'm typing, and I don't like it because it's not positioned well on my desk for where I need to stand. Participant 15 (current user).
Key informant findings
Considerations and concerns
Concerns were raised regarding risks within a work environment when a sit stand workstation was implemented including ensuring the workspace was not impeded and that users were not adopting a static standing posture.First of all, I would ask the question why, why they need one and why they would like one. If it is because they've had stated issues with their work situation, I'd ask to go and see if their workstation setup is adequate because sometimes there'll be something that's out of whack that might be causing an issue for them. (Key informant 2 -Manager of Health Safety and Environment (Faculty level).
There’s problems with static standing…it can be very fatiguing, so it’s almost like well I’ve got it, now I’m going to stand here for 8 h a day. Well that’s not what they’re designed for, and I think that’s potentially one of the things where people - it could create a problem where there wasn’t one before if people aren’t using it properly, so that’s probably one of the risks. In terms of other OHS risks hopefully the risk assessment we do would eliminate those risks, and so by the time people get to use it they understand that we’re suggesting that they sit and then stand, and then sit and change their posture during the course of the day. (Key informant 1 – Senior OHS consultant).
Policies and procedures
Finally, it was mentioned that staff have access to additional workplace health and wellbeing options that can assist to establish a behaviour change to improve one’s health and wellbeing status.I certainly don’t receive all requests for sit stand workstations. If there is no underlying medical condition, health condition or disability, it really is up to the local area as to whether they purchase it. They hold the budget for it. If a request comes to me though we do an assessment, we obtain some medical information so that we understand what the person’s condition is. And then we’ll make recommendations back to the treating practitioner about what we think is suitable. You know we would sort of have a dialogue between - with the staff member and their practitioner, and we’d pick something that was suitable. (Key informant 1 – Senior OHS consultant).
I think it’s great to have the management on board, and sort of driving the issue and understanding that it could have benefits. Listening to what people are saying, but also talking them through the practicalities because it’s one strategy in a whole suite of strategies around keeping people fit and healthy at work. It’s one thing. And I don’t think we can over-focus on it, we’re currently working on our Health and Wellbeing Program and trying to establish a very significant physical health program for our organisation. And the sit stand workstation addresses one thing around sedentary work, but we have other strategies that we can work on as well. (Key informant 1 – Senior OHS consultant).