Businesses 'overlook ergonomics when buying office furniture'

Many companies are not considering ergonomic issues when investing in office furniture, according to an expert. Lora Plude, an occupational health worker at Beloit Memorial Hospital in Massachusetts, said businesses need to take a number of issues into account when buying items such as desks and chairs.

For example, she stated that employees are all differently sized, which means chairs need to be easily adjustable to suit each person's body shape.

Ms Plude added that employees can take some responsibility as well by thinking about changing the layout and set-up of their workspace. She told Enterprise News: "Your chair should be arranged so that your feet are on the floor and you’re approaching your keyboard at a straight angle."

This comes after Australian firm Sit Back and Relax reported a surge in demand for ergonomically safe office furniture such as chairs.

The organisation said companies are increasingly recognising the benefits of adjustable furniture and the impact it can have on staff productivity.