Worksite International Blog

In recent years, the desk converter has become very popular. If you aren't familiar with the pros and cons of these devices, then read on. A desk converter is an external device added to an existing desk to allow sit-to-stand postural changes. A desk converter is placed directly on the surface or mounted to the surface. A variety of desk converter designs are available offering alternative placement of single, dual and or laptop monitor placement. 

As the pandemic continues, technology and service workers around the country continue to work at home.

The longer they work, they are discovering how uncomfortable the desk or table used for intermittent letter writing, meals, bill paying, or web searching is inadequate for the eight to twelve hours of actual computer work.

They realize the inexpensive, big-box store, home office chair, or worse, kitchen chair, is insufficient to support excessive, prolonged sitting.

A sore back and buttocks are driving the need to stand up! The quick-fix pillow hack for support is getting old!

Many employers ask whether they must provide sit to stand workstations when employees request them. Employers are confused about how to be fair across the board concerning the implementation of these adjustable solutions. We have all seen it… provide for one employee and suddenly, it’s contagious and they all want it… whether it will benefit them or not. What is often lacking is a clearly defined policy and procedure for providing sit to stand workstations. Having a policy and procedure gives employers and employees structure, control and a fair-minded approach to this popular workplace solution.

The 2019 Ergo Expo held at the Paris Hotel, Las Vegas has come and gone now. But it leaves us with more innovation this year than we have seen in a while. Old and new companies with new products were on display for ergonomics professionals to evaluate, test and even take home. I’ve attended this show for the last 2 and a half decades consistently and it never fails to disappoint! There is always too much to absorb than time allows, and this year was no different.

This past August, I presented my Chair Assessment Model at the International Ergonomics Association (IEA) Florence, Italy. Over 1700 ergonomists, most of whom were professors and academic researchers from more than 35 countries, were in attendance. This year’s theme was “Creativity in Practice”, the challenge of transforming the experimental, field research, and evaluation processes into the daily practices of the ever-changing working and living organizations. There was an over-abundance of lectures highlighting the latest research in ergonomics and human factors.

And, I don't mean tidy, orderly and clean at your desk. If you are not NEAT, you should be! NEAT is an acronym for "Nonexercise Activity Thermogenesis".

NEAT is the basic daily activity we should be doing, but we aren't because we are sitting too much. We have become chained to our computers, phones and iPads. We commute long hours to work in our cars then camp out on the couch at night watching the hi-def 54" TV! NEAT is the energy expenditure of all physical activities other than volitional sporting-like exercise. It ranges from the energy we expend walking in the grocery store, walking the hallways at work, typing, performing physical tasks and even fidgeting.