10 Reasons Why You Need an Ergonomic Office Chair.

When we consider the amount of time we sit in our office chairs either working from home or the office, it equates to at least 4- 6 hours a day. If an office worker is sat in an uncomfortable chair for that amount of time, it could be causing serious health problems.

There are several reasons why people don’t always have ergonomic chairs which may be partly down to cost. High-spec ergonomic chairs come with a more expensive price tag than standard office chairs because they feature more componentry such as independent seat tilt, seat slide, adjustable lumber support and headrests.

Also, some people know very little about the ins and outs of ergonomic chairs, or the risks associated from sitting all day on a non-ergonomic chair, such as a kitchen stool. It is only when their backs start hurting that they start to consider ergonomics and by that point, back or neck pain may already be a problem.

If you feel your chair is not providing you with enough support during the working day, it could be time for an ergonomic upgrade. Your back will thank you for it later!

Using an ergonomic chair can drastically improve your posture, reduce back pain and ultimately improve productivity. Your overall comfort levels will be greatly enhanced. It’s a case of once you go there you won’t look back!

If you are an employer you will understand the reasons why you should help your employees maintain the right posture and feel relaxed by providing an ergonomic office chair. It is possibly one of the best investments any company can make as you will be contributing to your employees’ wellbeing and they in turn will be more comfortable and productive as a result.

So, let’s look at 10 reasons why you may need an ergonomic office chair.

1. Support Correct Posture. Lumber, Adjustable arm rests and Seat Height

Ergonomic chairs are designed to support your natural posture and to reduce stressful forces on your body. Most ergonomic chairs feature full length back rests extending from your shoulders to the seat.

Lumbar

Another feature ergonomic chairs boast is a lower lumbar support which helps protect the lower (lumbar) part of your spine. This is important because most health problems arising from sitting for long periods are related to the lower back region.

Adjustable Armrests

Adjustable armrests support your elbow and forearms when typing, without them your arms would be unsupported, adding more weight and stress to your shoulders and arms.

Seat Height

The seat height is also important because this enables you to sit with your feet flat on the floor with your hips and knees at approximately ninety degrees. By doing this you will be distributing your weight more evenly which in turn takes the pressure off your back.

2. Enhanced Productivity

How can you concentrate or do your best work when you are uncomfortable? It’s like running or walking with a stone in your shoe; you just can’t. It’s the same when you are seated. We try so many things to make ourselves comfortable such as putting cushions behind our backs or placing our laptops on shoe boxes instead of using adjustable monitor arms.

We spend a lot of time throughout our working day fighting against our office chairs and equipment when they are making us uncomfortable. This eats into our working time and makes us less productive.

By choosing office furniture that is both ergonomically designed and comfortable, you can focus your energy and attention more firmly on your work.

3. Reduced back and neck pain

Office workers often complain of lower back and neck pain. This is usually because entry level or budget office chairs do not provide the best support when seated for long periods of time. By using an ergonomic chair with lumbar support and headrests, they will be supported at those all-important pressure points.

4. Reduces Hips Pressure

After the knees, the hip joints bear the most weight in the body. We often take for granted what our hips allow us to do – walk, sit and stand with our weight evenly distributed. When we are seated in a basic office chair our hips are often straining with the weight of our legs not being supported properly.

Many ergonomic chairs feature seat slide which gives the user deeper or shallower seat surface area. This will in turn give their thighs adequate support taking the hanging pressure off the hips.

5. Movement – Active sitting

We have previously mentioned that remaining in a seated position for prolonged periods of time is not necessarily healthy. You may be thinking that’s all very well, but how am I supposed to move when I’m expected to work? Well, the answer is in the way you sit.

Sitting is not necessarily the culprit of all back discomfort and other ailments, but sitting in restrictive or constrained posture for too long is. It is for this reason that ‘Active Sitting’ is now a recognised term in the modern workplace and not another buzz word or fad.

What is Active Sitting?

Active sitting occurs when seating allows or encourages the seated occupant to be active even whilst seated. Also referred to as dynamic sitting, the concept is that flexibility and movement while seated can be beneficial for the human body and make some seated tasks easier to perform.

Have you seen the HAG Capisco chair? It has been inspired by a horse rider’s posture and its overall unique shape offers several ways to sit or half stand. This is not a chair you can just slump yourself into and expect to be comfortable – it’s designed to keep you moving while seated and it does a really good job of that.

Some people think it looks strange and that it’s uncomfortable but that really is the point.

It’s like a hard task master or a PE teacher telling you throughout the day to keep moving!

I have been using the HAG Capisco for some time now and I also am lucky enough to have a height adjustable desk so I can perch on the HAG Capisco whilst stood up. There are grip plates on the sections of the base which allow your feet to rest on, which supports my legs.

I recently switched this chair for another office chair but I have since been experiencing lower back ache – this is no coincidence – it’s simply because I am not moving as much when seated.

I have since reverted to the HAG Capisco and Active Sitting throughout the day.

6. Decrease worker compensation costs

When people are not physically comfortable in their office chairs, it leads to frequent requests for sick leave because of illnesses.

Research has shown that about one-third of workers’ compensation claims can be traced back to MSD (Musculoskeletal Disorder) issues which could cost dearly!

By investing in ergonomic chairs at the early stages you will be saving money, time, and worry.

7. Warranty – backed

Manufacturers of ergonomic office chairs are confident about the product they deliver. Therefore, they are eager to offer warranty that does not normally accompany regular, non-ergonomic chairs. The Physio Ergonomic 24-hour chair has a 5 year warranty and The Humanscale Diffrient ergonomic smart chair has a lengthy 15 year warranty! They’ve got your back.

8. Aid to an interactive, agile and collaborative workforce

Ergonomic chairs or stools contribute to better movement in the workplace. They are often lightweight and easy to move from workstation to workstation or to agile work tables and meeting pods. More streamlined ergonomic chairs in the office will facilitate getting everyone together to work and come up with better ideas.

9. Improved Blood Circulation

One of the main indications of poor blood circulation in your legs is cramping. This happens if there is too much weight straining on your legs. It also happens when you sit on a bad chair that has its seat pressing against the back of your knees. If you sit for long hours especially on an office chair without leg support, your blood circulation is hindered. Good performance requires healthy blood circulation and this is only possible with the best ergonomic office chair.

10. Optimum Safety

Ergonomic chairs are designed to withstand users adjusting them more frequently than other office chairs. It is for this reason that they go through some rigorous testing during the development stage.

A good ergonomic office chair, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “provides necessary support to the back, legs, buttocks, and arms, while reducing exposures to awkward postures, contact stress, and forceful exertions”.

To comply with these international benchmarks, ergonomic chairs are lab tested for Backrest Strength, Base Test, Drop Test, Swivel Test, Stability Test, Gas Cylinder and so on.

Basically, you shouldn’t be worried about the safety or longevity of an ergonomic office chair.

Conclusion

We can be forgiven for thinking that ergonomic chairs are for the reserves of those who already live with or manage back pain but, this should not really be the case. We should consider ergonomic chairs in more detail as they will help prevent problems in the future. We are all familiar with the adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ and this can certainly be applied to high quality ergonomic chairs.

Our Ergonomic specialist, Phil Johns, carries out workstation assessments and he is often surprised at the substandard furniture people use on a daily basis. He frequently listens to physical complaints, which he can easily identify as being attributed to their furniture and working environments.

We need to educate ourselves about ergonomics, so that we can protect ourselves against potential long-term back and neck pain. By using ergonomic chairs, even as healthy and fit people, we can ensure that our bodies won’t suffer the consequences from using substandard seating.

We hope you have found this blog useful and that you are still sitting comfortably.

When scammers go after your business or non-profit organization, it can hurt your reputation and your bottom line. Your best protection? Learn the signs of scams that target businesses. Then tell your employees and colleagues what to look for so they can avoid scams.

Scammers' Tactics

Protect Your Business

Common Scams that Target Small Business

Other Questionable Practices

Scammers’ Tactics

• Scammers pretend to be someone you trust. They impersonate a company or government agency you know to get you to pay. But it’s a scam.

• Scammers create a sense of urgency, intimidation, and fear. They want you to act before you have a chance to check out their claims. Don’t let anyone rush you to pay or to give sensitive business information.

• Scammers ask you to pay in specific ways. They often demand payment through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Don’t pay anyone who demands payment this way. It’s a scam.

Protect Your Business?

Train Your Employees

• Your best defense is an informed staff. Train employees not to send passwords or sensitive information by email, even if the email seems to come from a manager. Explain to your staff how scams happen and encourage them to talk with their coworkers if they suspect a scam. Order free copies of this brochure at

  ftc.gov/bulkorder

  and share them with your staff.

Verify Invoices and Payments

• Make sure procedures are clear for approving purchases and invoices and ask your staff to check all invoices closely. Pay attention to how someone asks you to pay and tell your staff to do the same. If someone demands that you pay with a wire

  transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards, don’t pay. It’s a scam.

Spot Tech-Related Scams

• Since scammers often fake their phone numbers, don’t trust caller ID. If you get an unexpected text message or email, don’t click any links, open attachments, or download files. That’s how scammers load malware onto your network or try to convince you to send money or share sensitive information. Scammers sometimes even hack into the social media accounts of people you know, sending messages that seem real — but aren’t. Learn more about protecting your small business or non-profit organization from cyber scammers and hackers: check out Cybersecurity for Small Business.

Know Who You’re Dealing With

• Before doing business with a new company, search the company’s name online with the term “scam” or “complaint.” Read what others are saying about that company. Ask people you trust

  for

  recommendations.

  You

  also

  may

  be

  able

  to

  get

  free business development advice and counseling

  through programs like 

  SCORE.org.

Common Scams that Target Small Business

Fake Invoices and Unordered Merchandise

Scammers create phony invoices that look like you ordered products or services for your business. They hope the person who pays your bills will assume the invoices are real and make the payment. Except it’s all fake. Or a scammer might call, claiming they want to “confirm” an existing order, “verify” an address, or offer a “free” catalog or sample. If you say yes to any of those, unordered merchandise will arrive at your doorstep — followed by high-pressure demands to pay for it. Don’t pay. And remember, if you receive merchandise you didn’t order, you have a legal right to keep it and use it for free.

Online Listing and Advertising Scams

Scammers try to fool you into paying for nonexistent advertising or a listing in a phony business directory. They may ask you to give your contact information for a “free” listing, or say the call is simply to “confirm” your information. Later, you’ll get a big bill, and the scammer may use details — or even a recording — of the earlier call to pressure you to pay.

Business and Government Impersonation Scams

Scammers pretend to be someone you know or trust and try to scare or rush you into paying or giving them information. For example:

• Scammers

  say

  they’re

  calling

  from

  a

  utility

  company

  and your gas, electric, or water service is about to be interrupted because of a (fake) late bill.

• Scammers say they’re a government agent and threaten to suspend your business licenses, fine you, or even sue you. They might say it’s because you owe taxes or need to renew a license or

  registration.

• Some scammers convince you to buy workplace

  compliance posters that you can get for free from the U.S. Department of Labor.

• Some scammers trick you into paying to apply for so-called business grants from government programs that turn out to be fake.

• Scammers impersonate the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and threaten that you’ll lose your trademark if you don’t pay a fee immediately. Other times, they lie and say you owe money for additional registration services.

• Some scammers say they’re calling from a tech company, threatening that your business will lose its website URL if you don’t pay immediately.

Tech Support Scams

Tech support scams start with a call or an alarming pop-up message pretending to be from a well-known company, telling you there is a problem with your computer security. Their goal is to get your money, access to your computer, or both. They may ask you to pay them to fix a problem you don’t really have, or enroll your business in a nonexistent or useless computer maintenance program. They may even access sensitive data like passwords, customer records, or credit card information.

Social Engineering, Phishing, and Ransomware

Cyber scammers can trick employees into sending them money or giving up confidential or sensitive information like passwords or bank information. It often starts with a phishing email, social media contact, or a call that seems to come from a trusted source — for example, a supervisor or other senior employee — that creates urgency or fear. Other emails may look like routine password update requests or other automated messages, but are actually attempts to steal your information. Scammers also can use malware to lock organizations’ files and hold them for ransom.

Business Coaching Scams

Some scammers sell bogus business coaching programs, often using fake testimonials, videos, seminar presentations, and telemarketing calls. They falsely promise amazing results if you pay for their exclusive “proven” system to succeed in business. They also may lure you in with low initial costs, only to ask for thousands of dollars later. In reality, the scammers leave budding entrepreneurs without the help they sought and with thousands of dollars of debt.

Changing Online Reviews

Some scammers claim they can replace negative reviews of your product or service, add positive reviews, or boost your scores on ratings sites. However, posting fake reviews is illegal. FTC guidelines say endorsements — including reviews — must reflect the honest opinions and experiences of the endorser.

Credit Card Processing and Equipment Leasing Scams

Some scammers promise lower rates for processing credit card transactions, or better deals on equipment leasing. These scammers resort to fine print, half- truths, and flat-out lies to get a business owner’s signature on a contract. Some unscrupulous sales agents ask business owners to sign blank documents. (Don’t do it.) Others have been known to change terms after the fact. Ask the salesperson to give you copies of all documents right then and there. If they refuse or put you off with a promise to send them later, that could be a sign you’re dealing with a scammer.

Fake Check Scams

Some scammers give you what seems like a plausible reason to overpay you with a check. Then, they’ll ask you to send the extra money back to them or to someone else. But the check will be fake, even though it might show up as “cleared” in your account. By the time the bank discovers the check was bad, the scammer already has the money you sent them. You’ll be stuck repaying the bank.

Other Questionable Practices

Sometimes scammers hide behind other questionable practices — like claiming to offer big-money gig economy jobs, but then failing to live up to their money-making promises. Or they may try to sell 

you unnecessary services with the false claim that you need to pay to improve your business’s credit report. And after natural disasters strike, unlicensed contractors and scammers may show up with false promises that they’ll get your business back up and running with quick repairs, clean-up, or debris removal that never happens.

Learn More

For more advice on protecting your organization from scams, visit ftc.gov/SmallBusiness.

Stay connected with the FTC by subscribing to the FTC’s Business Blog at ftc.gov/subscribe.

Report

If you spot a scam, report it to ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report can help stop the scam.

Alert your state Attorney General. You can find contact information at NAAG.org.
 

Engage

Remember: Your best defense is an informed workforce.

Talk to your staff about how scams happen.

Share this brochure with your staff.

Order free copies of this brochure at ftc.gov/bulkorder.