A person shifting his seat, stretching, or wincing often interrupts the quiet hum of the office. These small movements of our daily lives demonstrate the unease that many of us experience, such as an aching lower back or a cricked neck after sitting for long on a chair. This uneasiness may render it difficult to concentrate and feel pleasant.
However, the mere decision of whether to use adjustable vs. fixed chairs can make a tremendous difference in the comfort of people who spend many hours sitting down, their productivity and their health in the long-term. This article examines the practical implications of the two types of chairs in an office, and the reason why businesses need to purchase adjustable chairs as one of the components of their workplace wellness strategies.
The Silent Problem: Sitting Too Much and Body Pain
Long sitting is a recognized health danger. It may cause cardiac and other health complications. However, the muscles and bones of the body are amongst the most prevalent issues that are caused by sitting, particularly in an ill chair.
Office workers are prone to back pain, a stiff neck, sore shoulders, and even headaches. Such problems not only impact the well-being of a person but also imply that less work is performed, more sick days, and increased healthcare expenses of a company.
The Basics: Fixed vs. Adjustable Chairs
Fixed chairs are designed with a fixed structure. They are typically fixed in their seating position, their backrest does not move, and their armrests are fixed in height. Although they might be cheaper initially, they cannot be modified to suit various individuals. This blanket treatment may cause terrible posture, pain and increased pressure on the spine and joints.
The real price of buying a fixed chair is the variety of hidden costs that accumulate over the years. Such costs of discomfort are:
- Greater Absenteeism: Employees have a higher probability of taking sick days when they are in pain. Back pain is one of the most common reasons of missed workdays.
- Reduced Productivity: A worker who keeps changing positions to get a comfortable posture is not entirely concentrating in his/her work. This may cause errors, missed deadlines and inferior quality work.
- Increased Healthcare Expenditures: Business organizations usually incur some percentage of the health insurance of its employees. In the case of musculoskeletal issues to the employees, the costs associated with the visits to doctors, physical therapy, and pain medications can increase exponentially.
- Increased Employee Turnover: Not feeling valued or cared about by the work environment is a reason to develop a low morale and consider leaving to work somewhere else. Training and replacing new workers is a huge cost.
On the other hand, adjustable chairs are ergonomic in nature meaning that they are comfortable and efficient. They are customizable with a lot of features that can be altered according to your body and your preference in sitting position. The essential adjustable components usually are:
- Seat Height: So that you can have your feet flat on the floor and straight legs.
- Lumbar Support: This holds the natural lower back curve which reduces strain.
- Backrest angle and height: The backrest angle and height assisting your back in the straight position and maintaining your upper body.
- Height and Width of Armrest: This enables your arms to be helped and leaves your shoulders and neck muscle tensions.
- Seat Depth: This ensures that your legs are not left unsupported to cut off blood supply behind the knees.
Real Effects: Getting More Done
Adjustable chairs make individuals accomplish more as its users are comfortable and well-supported. It implies that there are less distractions due to discomfort and thus individuals can concentrate in their work longer.
Adjustable back and lumbar support also contributes to good posture which can lead to better breathing and energy levels, also increasing productivity. Research has revealed that purchasing good office furniture can result in increase in work.
The Deep Dive: How Adjustable Chairs Transform the Workplace
In addition to the simple advantages, the change of fixed to adjustable chairs has a reverberating effect on an organization. This is not a matter of pain avoidance; it is about establishing a platform towards more productive, engaged and healthier employees.
The Economics of Comfort: More than the Purchase Price
The price of an adjustable chair may act as a deterrent to most companies in its initial cost. Nonetheless, this mode of thinking is myopic. Investment in adjustable chairs has a good pay off. Organizations which have switched to it have reported reduction in absenteeism, increased employee satisfaction and a certain increment in productivity which is evident.
The chair is more of a tool and not a sitting place as the employees can maximize the use of the chair to fit their own needs.
The Science of Sitting: Ergonomics in Action
The science of making a workplace to fit the user is known as ergonomics. Applying this to a chair, we ensure that all parts of the chair cooperate with the body.
The Spine’s Best Friend: Lumbar Support
There is a natural S-curve of our spine. When spending a long time sitting in a chair that fails to support this curve, one causes an unnatural C-shape to the spine. This strains the discs of the lower back that may cause pain and damage. A decent adjustable chair should have a lumbar support that can either be pushed up, down, inwards, or outwards to match the specific curvature of the back of an individual.
Legs and Circulation: The Importance of Seat Depth and Height
Have you ever sat in a chair that the edge of the seat pierces the back of your knees? This is an indication of the seat depth being improper with your legs. This has the potential to sever the flow of blood and cause discomfort. Adjustable chairs will enable you to adjust the depth of the seat, and as a result, you can sit with your back to the backrest and have a couple of inches between the edge of the chair and the backs of your knees. Together with adjustable seat height this will ensure that your feet rest flat on the floor and your legs are at healthy 90-degree angle.
Neck and Shoulders: The Role of Armrests
Armrests are very important though many people do not think about them. Armrests that are too low or too high may make you shrug your shoulders, and it results in your neck and upper back being in a tense position. Adjustable armrests which can move up and down, in and out give your shoulders a chance to relax and relieve the neck.
The Business Case for Investing in Adjustable Chairs
Although adjustable chairs tend to be more expensive than fixed chairs in the short-term, the benefits are too extensive to justify the cost. Companies that take care of the well-being of its employees by investing in ergonomic furniture usually get a good payoff in a range of important aspects:
- Higher Productivity: Employees are more supported and focused to work when they are comfortable.
- Less Absenteeism: These will result in fewer cases of back pains and other body issues, which will translate to less time lost at work.
- Reduction in Healthcare Costs: Elimination of work injuries lowers the insurance costs and claims.
- Better Employee Morale and Retention: There is a potential increase in employee morale and retention by demonstrating that you are concerned about employee comfort.
- Improved Company Image: Employee wellness will help improve the image of a company and look good to new recruits.
Making Adjustable Chairs Part of Workplace Wellness
The introduction of adjustable chairs at the workplace should be included in a larger health plan. This includes:
- Instructing Employees: Individuals ought to be taught how to set their chairs in the right manner to support them.
- Promoting Movement: No matter how great a chair is, long-term sitting is not good. Promote brief rests and exercise throughout the day.
- Providing Assistance: Consider personal assistance whereby an employee demonstrates how employees can put up their tables.
- Developing a Procurement Policy: Design a strategy in which all employees will be purchased only with adjustable and ergonomic chairs.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the office adjustable vs. fixed chairs decision has a significant impact on the degree of work performed, comfort, and long-term health. It might not seem like a big deal to cut on the costs of fixed chairs at the beginning, but their inability to fit every individual can result in discomfort, decreased productivity, and the increased possibility of injuries.
Purchasing adjustable, ergonomic chairs is not only an outlay of cash, it is also a wise investment in the health and well-being of your employees. Companies can make their team more productive and engaged, as well as healthier, by providing them with measures to help them sit in a comfortable and supportive position.
Reverting to adjustable chairs as part of a comprehensive workplace wellness strategy is a major step on the road to a healthier workplace where employees can perform well, both physically and professionally.
