- AJ Products UK
- Blog: Tips to Inspire Happiness at Work
- Ergonomics in the workplace
- Follow our lead and make wellbeing the central focus of your workspace
Follow our lead and make wellbeing the central focus of your workspace
Here at AJ Products, we work hard to make sure you can have a great day at work! That's why we offer office furniture that improves ergonomics and makes people's everyday work life easier and more productive. We lead by example; we know that our products help because we use them ourselves on a daily basis. Discover our staff picks for their workplace favourites and their tips on how to have a good day at work.
Office worker desk breaks and frequency of neck, shoulder, or back pain: key statistics
- 41.5% of UK adults with desk jobs take at least one break per hour.
- 25-34 year olds are the age group least likely to take hourly breaks from their desk (31.6%).
- Hybrid workers are the group least likely to take hourly breaks from their desk (38.8%) compared to 41.4% of those who go to the office 5 days a week, and 44.9% of those who work fully remotely.
- Cardiff is the city where workers are likeliest to take hourly breaks - with 68.4% of respondents from Cardiff taking at least one break per hour.
- Travel agents are the group most likely to take at least one break per hour, with 66.7% of the travel agents we surveyed taking hourly breaks from their desk.
- 21.3% of UK adults feel neck, back, or shoulder pain every day.
- 45-54 year olds are the age group most likely to experience neck, back, or shoulder pain on a daily basis (26.3%).
- Remote workers are the group most likely to experience shoulder, back, or neck pain on a daily basis (21.3%) compared to 18.2% of those who go to the office 5 days a week, and 13.02% of those who have a hybrid arrangement.
- Glasgow is the city in the UK with the highest percentage of citizens that feel shoulder, back, or neck pain on a daily basis (31.7%).
- Conversely, London is the city with the lowest percentage of citizens that feel shoulder, back, or neck pain on a daily basis (14.9%).
- Less than half (41.5%) of people with desk jobs in the UK take the recommended number of breaks (at least once an hour).
- 13% of desk workers take a minimum of 2 breaks per hour, while 28% take one hourly.
- Nearly a third of desk workers go 3 hours or more without taking a break (30%).
- 16% go at least 4 hours without taking some time away from their desk.
- 1 in 15 go 5 hours or more without a break (6.42%).
- And 1 in 36 don't take a break at all during their working day (2.73%).
Which age group is the most likely to take hourly breaks from their desk?
- It’s also worth noting the role that age plays in the likelihood of one taking regular breaks.
- Those aged 55 and over are the age group most likely, amongst UK workers with desk jobs, to take at least one break per hour.
- 49.4% of the 55+ year old desk job workers say they take at least one break per hour.
- After 55+ year olds, the age group most likely to take hourly breaks are 45-54 year olds (47.9%) followed by 16-24 year olds (40.6%).
- 25-34 year olds are the age group least likely to take hourly breaks (31.6%).
Do you have a favorite product at work?
I like the acoustic armchair CLEAR SOUND. Den är tyst, bekväm – och perfekt för möten.
How do you vary your working position during the day?
I often alternate between sitting and standing. I also use active sitting chairs, such as the CORBRIDGE balance ball.
What tips do you have for feeling good at work?
Get a good start to your day. Enjoy your morning coffee, a short walk or something else that boosts your sense of wellbeing – and bring that feeling with you for the rest of the day ahead.
I like the acoustic armchair CLEAR SOUND. Den är tyst, bekväm – och perfekt för möten.
How do you vary your working position during the day?
I often alternate between sitting and standing. I also use active sitting chairs, such as the CORBRIDGE balance ball.
What tips do you have for feeling good at work?
Get a good start to your day. Enjoy your morning coffee, a short walk or something else that boosts your sense of wellbeing – and bring that feeling with you for the rest of the day ahead.
I work either standing or sitting in my balance chair
Lou Thorén – Project Sales, AJ Products SwedenWhat’s your role at AJ?
I help clients, mainly schools, to create better classrooms, work environments and canteens. I design proposals that meet their needs and lead the implementation from start to finish.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Creating new work environments that last over time. And my wonderful colleagues!
Do you have a favorite product at work?
My balance chair BACK APP. When I’m not standing up to work, I'm sitting on it.
What tips do you have for feeling good at work?
Vary between standing and sitting – and don’t be afraid to replace your usual office chair with a balance chair sometimes.
I help clients, mainly schools, to create better classrooms, work environments and canteens. I design proposals that meet their needs and lead the implementation from start to finish.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Creating new work environments that last over time. And my wonderful colleagues!
Do you have a favorite product at work?
My balance chair BACK APP. When I’m not standing up to work, I'm sitting on it.
What tips do you have for feeling good at work?
Vary between standing and sitting – and don’t be afraid to replace your usual office chair with a balance chair sometimes.
Nothing beats a work environment with good ergonomics
Eliška Duduczova – Customer Service Specialist, AJ Products SlovakiaWhat’s your workspace setup?
I have a sit-stand desk, an ergonomic office chair and a saddle chair. This makes it easy to change working positions and reduces the risk of fatigue.
What makes you feel good at work?
The team I work with. Although we are a multinational company, we feel more like a family business. We have a nice and relaxed atmosphere and a lot of fun together.
What tips do you have for feeling good at work?
Nothing beats a work environment with good ergonomics and a pleasant atmosphere. That combination always wins.
I have a sit-stand desk, an ergonomic office chair and a saddle chair. This makes it easy to change working positions and reduces the risk of fatigue.
What makes you feel good at work?
The team I work with. Although we are a multinational company, we feel more like a family business. We have a nice and relaxed atmosphere and a lot of fun together.
What tips do you have for feeling good at work?
Nothing beats a work environment with good ergonomics and a pleasant atmosphere. That combination always wins.
To feel good at work, changing work position must be easy
Laura Supple – Marketing Manager, AJ Products UKDo you have a favorite product at work?
I love my standing desk. It means I can choose how I want to work. Some days I sit for longer and other days I prefer to stand; it depends on the task and how I’m feeling that day.
Tips for helping others feel good at work?
Don't let others dictate what your workspace should look like. Speak up if your chair is uncomfortable or the office is too noisy. A company that values you as an employee should do their best to accommodate your needs.
I love my standing desk. It means I can choose how I want to work. Some days I sit for longer and other days I prefer to stand; it depends on the task and how I’m feeling that day.
Tips for helping others feel good at work?
Don't let others dictate what your workspace should look like. Speak up if your chair is uncomfortable or the office is too noisy. A company that values you as an employee should do their best to accommodate your needs.
A saddle chair is both comfy and a good support for the back
Barbara Klisko – Senior Sales and Customer Service Specialist, AJ Produkter PolenWhat’s your role at AJ?
I work to meet customers' needs and help them choose the right products at the right price.
Do you have a favorite product at work?
I like the saddle chair EPSOM, which is both comfortable and a good support for the back. It’s perfect when the workday starts to take its toll. But I also make the most of my height-adjustable desk and stand up sometimes.
I work to meet customers' needs and help them choose the right products at the right price.
Do you have a favorite product at work?
I like the saddle chair EPSOM, which is both comfortable and a good support for the back. It’s perfect when the workday starts to take its toll. But I also make the most of my height-adjustable desk and stand up sometimes.
Every new sitting position feels like a boost to my health
Ričards Millers – Sales Specialist, AJ Products LatviaWhat makes you feel good at work?
Satisfied customers – and finding solutions to difficult challenges.
Do you have a favorite product at work?
I take every chance to be active and often stand up at my desk. When I sit down, I switch between the UP balance stool, the LANCASTER office chair and the desk exercise bike.
What tips do you have for feeling good at work?
Try to keep moving as much as possible, it’s what’s most natural for the body. If you work at a desk, every new sitting position is a boost to your health and helps your quality of work.
Satisfied customers – and finding solutions to difficult challenges.
Do you have a favorite product at work?
I take every chance to be active and often stand up at my desk. When I sit down, I switch between the UP balance stool, the LANCASTER office chair and the desk exercise bike.
What tips do you have for feeling good at work?
Try to keep moving as much as possible, it’s what’s most natural for the body. If you work at a desk, every new sitting position is a boost to your health and helps your quality of work.
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