In the quest for a healthier workspace, you might run into opposition from a manager about bringing a standing desk into your workspace, especially if you have a small cubicle. So you need some solid information – ammunition if you will – to make a case for a standing desk and why it’s a good idea to let you have one, and probably to sponsor them for the office.
Start big and then build in the details. After the adjustment period of a few days, people who work at a standing desk report thinking more clearly, having stronger focus, being able to produce higher quality work in less time, and feeling healthier, resulting in a slew of other passive benefits that indirectly impact their quality of work. The biggest is that you need fewer breaks to stand up, walk around, and decompress when you’re healthier from standing instead of sitting. This is a proven fact, and the correlation is too strong to ignore.
The second point you have to make is that the change won’t disrupt the workplace too much. The biggest problem is usually people who are curious about why you are standing or find the difference distracting at first. You don’t actually have to do too much with this, but it’s important to make the point clearly and spend time assuaging any potential concerns. The desk won’t be noisy or disruptive, and standing won’t be an excuse for you to talk to coworkers excessively or distractingly.
After you describe the immediate effect a standing desk will have on your work and the workplace, you should be plain about the personal health and wellness benefits of standing at a standing desk. There are genuine health risks from sitting, ranging from lower back and leg mobility problems to decreased circulation and a weaker heart to an increased chance of diabetes and other chronic illnesses. Although most people are swayed by your desire to be healthier using simple methods that don’t impact them, you can point out how improving your health helps the company. Being healthier means not just better productivity, but also few sick days and fewer doctor’s appointments. On top of that, it often helps boost morale, and good attitudes are great for workplace happiness and other less tangible factors that are all present at the most productive, successful workplaces.
If your boss continues to resist, the final argument for a standing desk is that you can buy it yourself, and if it is too much of a problem you will happily take it home. Because the reality is that all your major computer desks should be height adjustable. If your employer is willing to give you that window to test it, he or she and everyone else in the office will soon see what a blessing it is to your health, mood, and efficiency. Did we mention we also offer amazing standing desk bulk pricing discounts for any office size?
