Since the costs for motorised workstations are straightforward, given the numerous advantages for the employees and the company, we at CEKA are certain that motorised height adjustable work tables will become standard equipment for modern offices over the medium-term.
Prevention cuts costs.
Nearly one third of all absences at the office are due to back pain. The economic damage is enormous. According to a current study conducted by the Barmer Ersatzkasse, Germany's largest health insurance fund, the annual treatment and follow-up costs, such as loss of productivity or disability in Germany total approximately EUR 15.5 billion.
80% of all back discomfort is not organic, but rather caused by weak back muscles triggered by a chronic lack of movement. Working at a desk in a sitting position nearly doubles the strain put on the spinal column than when standing upright.
Regular movement considerably reduces the risk of back and neck discomfort and has an overall positive impact on health.
Changing between sitting and standing
- Trains the back and pelvic muscles
- Promotes the nutrient supply to the intervertebral discs
- Improves breathing
- Stimulates the cardiovascular system
- Stimulates digestion
- Promotes cerebral activity
Dynamic sitting/standing workstations therefore promote the active health management of your employees and simultaneously reduce sick leave costs. The additional costs of a dynamic workstation over a traditional sitting workstation can be repaid in only 2-3 fewer sick days.
Occupational physicians recommend the following formula for ideal office work:
50% sitting, 25% standing, 25 % movement
- 2 to 4 position changes are recommended per hour
- Frequently standing up for short time periods is more favourable than longer time periods of standing
- Static standing should be avoided
- Standing phases should not last longer than 20 minutes.
For employees to positively utilise the possibilities of standing/sitting dynamics, the effort involved in changing positions should be kept so low as possible. Motorised adjustable tables best meet this requirement.
The table alone, however, does not change employee behaviour. Therefore, introducing a dynamic workstation concept requires training the users to ensure that the sitting and standing work phases ideally complement each other.
What does a sitting/standing workstation cost?
Based on an average desk service life of 10 years, the procurement costs for a standard equipped, motorised, height adjustable desk is approximately EUR 6.50 per month. The energy costs for operating a table are less than EUR 10 per year.
