“Factors Impacting the Use of Sit-Stand Desks in an Activity-Based Flexible Office: A Multi-Method Case Study” in “Factors Impacting the Use of Sit-Stand Desks in an Activity-Based Flexible Office”
Factors Impacting the Use of Sit-Stand Desks in an Activity-Based Flexible Office: A Multi-Method Case Study
Zahra Zamani (EwingCole)
Activity-based flexible offices (AFO) are designed for enhanced flexibility, social interaction, and communication. Studies suggest possible sitting pattern variations between traditional offices and AFOs, due to the physical environment and furniture modifications. excessive sitting has been linked to diabetes and chronic diseases. Further, office workers are sitting for uninterrupted length of time for 60 – 80 percent of their workday. Therefore, strategies, such as including sit-stand desks have been suggested to reduce occupational sedentary postures and improve worker well-being.
As part of a post-occupancy evaluation, we explored the relationship between the use of sit-stand desks to users’ workstyles, gender, workplace physical environment, satisfaction, and productivity.
In this Mixed method study, the AFO included unassigned workstations and various collaborative and individual alternative work spaces (AWS). Self-reported questionnaires were completed by 82 office users. User interactions were collected over five consecutive days (N=1681). Further, Space syntax measured the visibility and accessibility of workstations.
The findings indicated that male users were more likely to stand while. Workers tended to stand-while-work in less accessible workstations. Further, employees that were less affected by visual or audio distractions and found workstations of choice were more likely to stand while working. People who stood more frequently at workstations were more satisfied with the workplace. However, standing habits were not predictive of workstation satisfaction.
Conclusion. The findings of this research validated the business case for implementing the sit-stand desks to enhance user satisfaction and physical activity. Nevertheless, the application with this furniture was impacted by different variables, including gender, workstation locations. Future interventions are recommended to explore the reasons female users were not in favor of standing while working and resolving these issues. Also, locating standing desk in areas with higher visual and audio privacy may enhance user comfort levels in its application.
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