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- Standing desks shown to boost work performance
Standing desks shown to boost work performance and wellbeing at work
What did the NHS study reveal?
The study, led by researchers from the Universities of Leicester and Loughborough, followed 146 NHS staff as part of the Stand More AT (SMArT) Work programme.
- 77 employees received height-adjustable desks, guidance, and goals to increase standing time.
- 69 employees in a control group continued to use standard desks.
- Improved concentration and job performance
- Better mood and lower fatigue
- Greater overall wellbeing
Why is it important to reduce sitting time?
Extensive research has suggested that sitting down for prolonged periods of time can lead to health conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease and musculoskeletal problems.
According to the British Heart Foundation, adults of working age in England, sit for an avergae of 9.5 hours. For office workers, much of that time is spent at work.
Sit-stand desks help to combat these risks by promoting movement and encouraging a more active working day.
Do standing desks really improve productivity?
- Productivity increasded by 1.75 hours per week per employee
- The average return on investment (ROI) was £2.56 for every £1 spent
- Using more cost-effective tools, ROI increased to £4.72 for every £1 spent
Employee productivity improved by an average of 1.75 hours per week over a 12-month period.
It was calculated that the programme had a return on investment of 256%. That is for every £1 spent, £2.56 was gained as a result of increased productivity (based on a total cost of £692 per employee).
Further analysis showed that when staff used more cost-effective equipment and free methods, such as electronic timers, for tracking their sitting time and providing reminders (at a cost of £430 per employee), the return on investment would increase to 472%, resulting in £4.72 back for every £1 spent!
These results highlight how even small behavioural changes can deliver measurable improvements in both employee health and business performance.
New research strengthens the evidence
At AJ Products, we believe staying healthy at work should be simple and accessible. As proud members of ukactive, we’re committed to creating workplaces that are happier, healthier, and more active.
