Why Modern Workplaces Can’t Ignore the Health Costs of Sitting All Day

Perhaps the biggest reason for this is the rise of sedentary lifestyles and desk jobs. In this article, we’ll discuss the role of workplaces in helping employees stay active during work hours.

The Rise of Sedentary Work

The issue of sedentary lifestyles has been an issue for a long time, but there’s no doubt that the issue has intensified in recent times as screen-based, desk jobs continue to rise. With the pandemic driving an increase in the number of remote jobs too, many of us have even lost out on those steps we’d take when commuting to work each day.

The average worker can now expect to spend around 8 hours of their day seated, whether that’s sitting at a desk in a corporate office or sitting down delivering HGV lessons.

The Health Costs of Sitting All Day

Before we discuss the role of employers, it’s important to understand the health costs. Surprisingly, this doesn’t just extend to physical health impacts, and it’s important to consider the mental effects of sitting down all day too.

Physical Health Impacts

It’s common for people who sit down all day to experience issues with their neck, shoulders and back, often caused by poor posture. Many of these issues can be short-term, such as feeling stiff when you wake up. However, in some instances, sitting down all day could be the cause of chronic issues.

Sedentary jobs are also likely to cause weight gain due to a lack of movement. Being overweight can increase the risk of conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
Mental and Cognitive Effects

Studies suggest that there is a link between sitting and poor mental health, often in the form of depression and anxiety disorders. It’s also possible that sitting down all day could lead to lower cognitive performance, with those who sit at a desk all day more likely to experience concentration issues and mental fog.

The Business Impact: Why Employers Should Care

In the past, businesses have considered employee issues as simply not their problem. But when we approach employee health from a business angle, it may change the way business owners view the issue.

For a start, taking steps to improve employee health and wellbeing should reduce days lost due to sickness, which subsequently can increase productivity and reduce costs. Offering health-related perks such as private health insurance can also help when trying to attract and retain talent.

Today, employees look for more than just a competitive salary when comparing job offers and going above and beyond in terms of employee wellbeing could help you stand out in the recruitment market.

What Modern Workplaces Can Do Differently

No matter what industry your business operates in, there are always ways to improve employee wellbeing throughout the working day.

For desk-based roles, encourage regular screen breaks to allow staff the opportunity to stretch their legs and get some much-needed steps in. You could also provide standing desks to give employees the opportunity to work without sitting.

If a job requires an individual to sit down all day, it is your duty to provide proper seating. The worst thing you can do is see furniture and seating as a cost-cutting opportunity. Instead, view it as an investment that will keep employees happier and healthier, leading to increased productivity and better staff retention rates.

But perhaps the most important thing to change is workplace culture. Although, this isn’t a quick win and needs to come from the top in a way that is genuine rather than driven by increasing profits and performance.