In just 20 years the average office worker will have a hunched back, red eyes and a protruding stomach, according to a life-sized doll developed as part of research into workplace health.
A study has been conducted showing that more than 90% of UK office workers suffer from work-related health issues and have increased difficulty doing their job. Roughly 50% of British workers questioned have said they suffer from eye problems because of work, and 49% have bad backs. To demonstrate these findings a visual representation of future office workers was created.
Meet Emma, she’s got a hunched back, swollen limbs and bloodshot eyes. This is a life-sized representation of what office workers will look like in 20 years if we don’t improve our working conditions. Emma has a permanently hunched posture sitting for hours every day over her desk, dry red eyes from prolonged exposure to a computer screen and sallow skin from spending long periods of time under the glare of artificial light. Sitting has also given Emma poor blood flow in her legs, causing varicose veins. Poor diet and little exercise also mean that Emma is overweight with a protruding stomach.
William Higham, author of the Work Colleague Of The Future report, states, “unless we make radical changed to our working lives, such as moving more, addressing our posture at our desks, taking regular walking breaks or considering improving our workstation set up, our offices are going to make us very sick”.
Several ‘radical’ changes need to be made:
- Moving more
- Spending less time sitting
- Improving posture when at a desk
- Regular walking breaks
- Improve workstation set up
This is where sit-stand desks come into action. These desks give office workers the flexibility to adjust the desk to the correct sitting height for them or to a standing position. This allows them to work at a desk both in a sitting position and standing. This is a more ergonomic desk improving employee posture and getting them off their seats.