Robert De Niro once said: “If it’s the right chair, it doesn’t take too long to get comfortable in it.” And while this quote is meant to sound figurative (he mentioned this in an interview before turning 70), it makes sense when it’s taken literally.
Ergonomic task chairs are as much a staple in the modern workplace as the desks they’re paired with. While there may be dozens of models on the market right now, only the right chair can provide the utmost comfort.
If comfort alone isn’t enough of a reason to invest in a good ergonomic chair, perhaps the other reasons below may convince you otherwise.
Decrease Risk of Lower Back Pain
The human spine isn’t straight like a board; when viewed from a side angle, it takes on an ‘S’ shape. Such a formation allows it to bear the body’s weight when stationary or mobile.
However, even a healthy spine can suffer from the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. In this case, sitting in a bad chair for hours – if not the entire day – is a common cause of lower back pain (LBP). Of around 16% of Australians living with LBP, the majority are of working age.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
While some cases of LBP are treated with medication or surgery, the vast majority entail a major lifestyle change. Improving the ergonomics of the workplace is one worthy of investment, beginning with ergonomic office chairs in Melbourne . With the appropriate features, these comfortable seats can go a long way in lowering the risk of LBP.
It’s easy to think that adjustable lumbar support is the only ergonomic feature that matters in the context of work-related back pain. However, proper sitting is more than just supporting the lower back. As we explained in our post about choosing the right office chair, additional features like adjustable seat height and adjustable armrests are just as essential.
Sitting on a comfortable office chair starts a cascading effect. If it helps manage or decrease the risk of LBP, workers will be less inclined to call in sick saving their valuable sick leave.
Better Workplace Collaboration
When you think about collaboration today, the first thing that usually comes to mind is software programs like Slack or Zoom. Although that’s understandable in a post-pandemic economy, many workplaces still rely on face-to-face interactions.
A 2024 survey of over 1,000 Australian workers revealed that a substantial number of Gen Z workers want face-to-face communication in the workplace. Most feel comfortable talking with their colleagues about office matters and water cooler thoughts in person.
“That’s dandy and all. But what does it have to do with getting a comfortable chair?”
Two words: collaborative furniture.
Exactly what it says on the tin, collaborative furniture consists of workstations, soft breakout furniture, adjustable chairs, and other pieces of furniture that promote close teamwork. It may appear that the list narrows down to practically every piece of furniture available, but not all are suited to facilitate meetings and meaningful brainstorms.
So the question still stands: “Why do most ergonomic office chairs swivel and have wheels?” These features aren’t just added out of convenience.
Apart from ease of movement around a desk, if the team needs an impromptu huddle, its members can easily arrange their chairs. In case the meeting room doesn’t have enough meeting room chairs, attendees can bring their desk chairs inside. If a co-worker needs help with something, the one beside them can turn to them by swivelling their desk chair instead of standing up.
These actions might not look much, but they’re valid examples of workplace collaboration. There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team’…and ‘workplace’.
Enhanced Corporate Image
It doesn’t take more than a glimpse into your office for the public to learn about how your business works and, more importantly, how it treats its staff. Today’s consumers take a business’s image into account, as it reflects its work ethic. In this case, having employees work hours on rickety, non-ergonomic chairs risks losing consumer trust.
Updating dozens of office chairs shows how much a business owner cares for their workforce, given the benefits we’ve discussed so far. Losing active employees to lower back pain or other forms of chronic pain due to poor posture isn’t in a company’s best interests. All the while, such a display of compassion helps score brownie points among guests.
Wrapping Up
Between providing maximum comfort and improving the company’s public image, high-quality office chairs are definitely worth the upfront expense .And as the American actor stated, getting used to them won’t take long.