The Importance of Ergonomic Office Chairs

In the modern workplace, comfort and health and safety are of the utmost importance. Opting for an ergonomic office chair, such as those available from Furniture At Work, is a solution to this requirement.

Ergonomic office chairs offer features such as contoured back rests, adjustable height, movable armrests, and padded headrests.

Supporting Good Posture

Employees often end up seated for eight hours or more a day. In a badly designed chair, employees can end up slouching or sitting in an awkward position. This can lead to the body feeling agitated and pain developing in the lower back. Providing employees with an ergonomic chair that offers good adjustability will allow most users to sit comfortably throughout the day.

Traditional chairs can put pressure on the back, leaving employees feeling uncomfortable during the workday. By contrast, a suitable office chair will support the spine’s natural curve, and should support the whole back.

Getting the height of a chair and the seat’s width and depth right is crucial for comfort. For more information about this, read the embedded PDF.

The Importance of Seat Height, Width and Depth

Reducing Neck Problems

Not only can sitting for long periods affect the back, it can also cause neck complaints. Sitting without any neck support can lead to employees feeling stiff. Many ergonomic office chairs are available that include headrests to support an employee’s head and neck, reducing the chance of injury and stiffness.

Investing in chairs with headrests is particularly helpful for employees who suffer with existing neck or shoulder problems. Offering this support will allow the muscles to relax, increasing blood flow.

The Benefits of Ergonomic Office Chairs

Reducing Arm Strain

Many ergonomic chairs have adjustable armrests, which – when correctly adjusted – can support the arms, reducing muscle strain in the shoulders. Armrests are beneficial when using a keyboard or mouse, but if the height cannot be adjusted they can catch on the desk. This can lead to users sitting on the edge of their seat with little to no back support.

Productivity

Investing in ergonomic office chairs can encourage more effective teamwork and productivity. Employees sitting in comfortable, ergonomic chairs will be able to focus much easier without any distractions from discomfort.

The Mechanics of Office Chairs

 

Ergonomic office chairs are a staple aspect of a modern office space and are necessary for employees to stay comfortable throughout the workday. Most office workers are used to working eight or nine-hour days, and without a suitable office chair, this can start to cause discomfort. Good office chairs are a necessary investment, yet how office chair mechanics work remains a mystery for many people.

A supportive office chair is important, and Furniture At Work offers a range of ergonomic and modern office chairs including leather, mesh, and executive models.

Seat Height

Office chairs are constructed around a single-acting cylinder, which is a spring filled with air. This cylinder is connected to a piston, which moves into the cylinder when the lever is operated. The piston compresses the air to move the seat up, and when the piston is removed, the air decompresses and the seat lowers.

Adjustable seat height is crucial for user comfort, as it encourages proper posture and prevents workers from slouching at their desks. The ideal seat height should allow workers to place both feet on the floor, whilst comfortably resting their hands on the surface of the desk.

Adjustable Tilt and Tilt Lock

The tilt mechanism is the most important aspect of an office chair recline or rock function. A chair’s tilt is usually controlled by a large knob or lever underneath the seat. Operating the lever or knob increases or decreases the amount of force that is required to make a chair recline. Tilt lock uses either a bar or pin to lock the tilt in a certain position, allowing users to adjust the recline depending on the task at hand. For example, an upright position can be helpful for desk work, but reclining can be more comfortable during long meetings.

Lumbar Support and Back Height Adjustment

Any ergonomic office chair that is worthwhile should have adjustable lumbar support. The lower part of the spine naturally curves inwards, and lumbar support is designed to support this area of the back by filling in the gap between the spine and the chair. When correctly positioned, lumbar support should enable users to keep their pelvis, shoulders and ears aligned, whilst supporting the spine’s natural curvature.

Adjustable lumbar support and back height adjustment are commonplace on modern office chairs. A knob on the chair’s frame is a common adjustment method for lumbar support. If a chair does not have built-in lumbar support, this can be added with a curved cushion that simply fits to the back of the seat.

The height of the back of an office chair is usually adjusted with a ratchet method; this simply lifts the backrest up and locks it into position.

Returning to the Workplace After COVID-19

More and more businesses are starting to work towards reopening, and it is crucial that they are mindful of the changing advice and restrictions from the government. Employers need to plan any return to the workplace carefully to ensure that they look after their staff’s wellbeing.

Risk Assessment

One of the first steps to arranging a return to work after COVID-19 needs to be completing a risk assessment. This will enable the business to understand what should be done to ensure the safety of staff members. A COVID-19 risk assessment should cover the situations that might cause the virus to be transmitted, the chances of an individual being exposed, and how the risk can be removed or controlled.

Social Distancing

Guidelines state that where possible, workers should be kept two metres apart. Where this isn’t possible, workers can opt for a one metre distance with added measures to mitigate risk. One way to do this in office spaces, for example, is to invest in Perspex protective desk divider screens, like those available from Furniture At Work.

Hygiene

Frequently wiping down surfaces and keeping the workplace clean will reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 spreading. Employers should work to keep workplaces clean and encouraging staff to wash their hands frequently will help keep a business COVID secure.

When completing a risk assessment, employers need to consider providing the placement of handwashing facilities. Handwashing facilities or sanitiser should be available for employees as they arrive at or leave work, and additional facilities should be available for use during the day.

Vulnerable Workers

It is crucial that employers consider the risk to any workers who are especially vulnerable to coronavirus. Public Health England has identified individuals who may be at a greater risk of infection or an adverse outcome, and this includes older males, those with a high BMI, individuals with conditions like diabetes, and individuals from some Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups.

The government has encouraged employers to work with individuals who have been defined as clinically extremely vulnerable to ensure any return to their workplace is safe. Where possible, it is recommended that individuals who are considered extremely vulnerable are supported to work from home.

The Importance of Having a Good Office Chair

Workers can spend up to forty hours a week in the office, with the majority of this time being spent in their office chair. If the chair is not suitable, it can cause a variety of problems both in the long and short term.

Investing in a good office chair can have benefits for happiness, health, and productivity. Furniture At Work offers a broad selection of office chairs, including mesh, fabric, computer, and executive chairs, with models suitable for both home and office working.

Freedom of Movement

Modern, ergonomic office chairs will allow staff to move around their workspaces freely; this will make it easier for workers to communicate and collaborate. Wheeled office chairs can also be easily moved into meeting or conference rooms as and when required.

Encourages Good Posture

Good quality office chairs tend to include features such as height adjustment and lumbar support, all of which encourage staff to sit correctly during the day. These features will allow each employee to adjust their chair to suit their own needs, ensuring every worker is able to sit comfortably.

Poor posture can lead to physical complaints such as neck, back and shoulder pain, which can cause low morale alongside other problems. Maintaining good posture can boost endurance and concentration during long office days.

Longer Lifespan

Investing in a good office chair as opposed to the cheapest model brings the benefits of a longer lifespan and fewer maintenance requirements. Regularly replacing broken office chairs is not only an unnecessary cost, but is also a serious inconvenience for both employees and employers.

Professional Image

Workplaces full of old, battered office chairs can appear unprofessional to prospective clients and other visitors. Investing in good quality office chairs not only creates a happy environment for employees to work in but can also give a professional first impression to visitors.

Shows Appreciation

At the end of a hard day’s work, employees like to feel valued. Every member of staff needs to feel comfortable during the workday, and investing in modern, ergonomic office chairs can encourage this. By making the health and comfort of employees a priority, offices can become more productive.

 

Guide to Office Chair Lifespan

Office chairs are one of the most crucial pieces of office equipment. With many workers spending up to forty hours a week in the office, office chairs are prone to a great deal of wear and tear. Therefore, understanding the lifespan of a chair and how this can be optimised will ensure a good return on investment.

Furniture At Work offers a wide range of office chairs, including leather, mesh, fabric and executive chairs. 

When to Replace an Office Chair

Fabric Chairs 

Fabric chairs tend to be hardwearing and prove to be a good return on investment. The material copes well with daily use but can start to look aged quicker than some other types of chair. Upholstered fabric chairs can easily suffer tears and may start to look sunken in the middle. They are a durable choice, but if retaining that new appearance for as long as possible is crucial, it might be worth considering a different type of office chair. 

Leather Chairs 

Leather is a sturdy material that will last and retain its new appearance for longer. The lifespan of leather office chairs can also be extended by treating the leather regularly. Leather chairs that are well looked after could easily last for more than ten years. 

Top Tips for Looking After a Leather Chair

Mesh Chairs 

Mesh chairs have a sleek design and are incredibly lightweight, but they are not as durable as some other types of office chair. Mesh can start sagging quickly, and whilst there are durable mesh chairs available, this tends to come at the expense of comfort. 

How To Extend the Life of an Office Chair

Signs a Chair Needs Replacing 

One of the most telling signs that an office chair needs replacing is if it is showing obvious signs of damage, for example broken wheels or damaged components. If a chair is showing signs of damage, it is unlikely to be able to perform its usual functions, and it is time to look for a replacement. 

Over time, the seat cushion of an office chair will flatten and become less comfortable. Once this happens it is worth considering looking for a new office chair, as the cushion plays a crucial role in preventing back pain. 

Everyone is unique, and some chairs are just not comfortable for some people. This is a common complaint when people buy an old chair from a friend, or start a new job. Taking the time to pick out the ideal chair will provide a wealth of benefits in the long term. 

Tips for Setting Up Home Office Filing

Working from home is something that more and more people are doing on a regular basis. Therefore, keeping an optimum home office set up is important to ensure productivity levels are the same as in the office.  

As a starting point, this involves getting the right office furniture, but there is more to it than that. Taking the time to set up a home office filing system help home workers not to feel swamped by paperwork and documents.

The Benefits of a Home Office Filing System

Decide on a System 

Before getting started, consider the paperwork that needs storing and how you usually search for it. For example, if invoices need storing, consider how you would usually search for them. Searching by name would benefit from alphabetising, whereas searching by account number would benefit from numerical filing. 

Colour Coding 

Colour coding has been an office organisation tactic for decades. To start, sort paperwork into a select amount of categories – for example financial, contracts, or bills – and assign each category a colour. Coloured folders, labels and tape can all help workers to quickly assign a colour to a category. 

How to Digitise Filing

Schedule Organisation Time 

Even the best filing system will not stay organised on its own. Make sure to schedule in time once a week to file new documents and give the filing system a once over. Working on the system regularly and in small chunks is much more manageable than trying to file a lot of documents all at the same time. Setting up a recurring reminder can help you to stick to your schedule. 

Furniture 

The amount of paperwork that needs filing and the space in which to do it will determine the exact type of furniture that a home office will benefit from. Filing cabinets can help in offices with more space, but if space is at a premium, desk drawers might be a better choice. Furniture At Work offers a wide range of office furniture including drawers, filing cabinets and desks that can help maintain a tidy, organised office. 

Organising A Home Office Filing System