Standing, is it an upward trend? Definitely; but not working standing up, but alternating working standing up and working sitting down throughout the working day, according to -mainly- the activity that each person is going to carry out. In this article we review some of the most demanded spaces today to work standing up in the office.
In fact, every day it is more common to incorporate different high tables in different areas of the office, especially in informal collaboration spaces, relax, office or integrated between the operational positions, in which to work either standing up or sitting on ad hoc stools.
We can affirm that it is a global trend. Ofita is equipping offices with this type of tables in different countries. As always when a new way of working emerges, the most innovative large companies took the first step on this path, and being global companies they have been replicating their offices due to their different locations in the world, and spreading the trend.
Health benefits of standing work
The benefits for the health and motivation of the employee are so important that every day more companies choose any of these options, or all:
1. Include more informal communication spaces than traditional meeting rooms, with high tables – where you can work standing up or sitting down – in person with other colleagues or remotely, when the table is equipped with technology.
2. Include “innovation spaces”, like the one in the image created with the Ofita Forthink furniture program . They are spaces, generally agora type, with mobile elements where information can be visually shared. These spaces are very appropriate for agile methodologies, for example, since they facilitate co-creation, creativity, the visual exchange of ideas and brainstormings .
3. By incorporating height-adjustable tables. The user regulates the height in a very simple way.
In Ofita’s case, the demand for the Multilevel lift table is growing significantly; a very ergonomic and versatile design table. Depending on the activity to be carried out, each person can raise or lower the Multilevel table quickly and silently and work, standing or sitting, individually or in a team, always in a healthy posture. Each table is regulated independently, simply and intuitively, with programmable controls.
It is equipped with the latest technology in lifting, electrification and safety systems, and has a highly sensitive anti – collision system and movable panels.
Why is the demand for these spaces?
There are many reasons. The first, the greatest concern of companies and their HR and Risk Prevention departments to ensure the health of people. Working alternately standing and sitting translates into significantly healthier employees. The advantages of this mixed formula for our health are summarized in a lower risk of obesity thanks to a higher calorie burn. In addition, contrary to what happens with people who spend their eight hours of work sitting, those who also work standing strengthen the back and muscles of the legs and buttocks. And there are more benefits for our health: Reduced risk of diabetes and other metabolic problems; lower risk of cardiovascular disease; lower risk of cancer and a long-term decrease in mortality risk.
The second reason: The increase in informal collaboration spaces in companies. Today, thanks to technology, we can work from anywhere, so why do we go to the office? To socialize, to share with others… that is why offices are becoming more collaborative every day while individual offices diminish and even disappear. And in the range of common areas, the most informal spaces are on the rise to exchange ideas in a more relaxed way, and the high tables to meet standing are a good proposal to equip these spaces.
Third, logically, the growth in demand is due to the fact that it is also an aesthetic trend: informal spaces humanize and greatly enhance offices.
Finally, there are many studies that corroborate that these types of spaces (where employees can collaborate standing up and chat in a more relaxed tone), encourage collaboration, co-creation and creativity.
