Are ergonomic chairs worth it?

Ever thought to yourself: Do I really need an ergonomic chair? Does it really matter if I can adjust the seat back? Is adjustable seat depth really worth paying for?

We'd be lying if we said that these are the questions that keep us awake at night. Yet if you are kitting out the office or investing in your own ergonomic chair you may have done the odd google search. "Why buy an ergonomic chair?" or "Are ergonomic chairs worth the money?"

Strangely though, the need for a fully adjustable ergonomic chair was brought into focus by a trip to our local tax office.

(Antham, n.d.)

Really? We hear you! But, please hear us out.

Honestly, we know the tax office runs a photo finish with the dentist for favorite settings for an anecdote. But it is kinda connected.

As the doors to hell slid open. Sorry for the melodrama, but it was quite foreboding. One thing leapt out at us as we sat at the end of a row of deliberately uncomfortable chairs. Obviously, the generous and kind natured fellows in HR had spoken to the chaps in purchasing and procured their staff some impressive looking ergonomic chairs that looked like they had been put on Craig's list when Flash went all "Arrowverse". These chairs were a reworking of an 80s Flash baddy's throne.

(Eazeechair S8 Plus)

The tax office is not the most inviting of places at the best of times but the effects of these black monoliths towering over you as you frantically searched for your deli-style ticket was, well, let's just say scary.

But as you approached the desk the intimidation was brought down a notch. We could see the most fantastic array of improvised 'make do and mends' all the way down the uncomfortable, squirming or barely visible line of tax office employees.

The really kind young woman who helped us had three lumbar supports around the base of her backrest to push her towards her desk. On her left, sat an absolute behemoth of a man. He might have been temping there between jobs after Game of Thrones. He looked like a basketball player permanently trapped in coach. The fixed height furniture was doing nothing for him. His huge frame was hunched over the desk and his wrists were resting on his knees as he attempted to type. Ever been to a parents evening at your kids' kindergarten. Yep, that's the image.

(Keveney, 2017)

"Do you have any ID with you?"

Sharply refocused our attention on the task at hand. Having passed over the required documentation, we could not help but get distracted again by this comic and slightly sad spectacle. As the officer serving us deftly navigated the byzantine and frankly scary world of the tax system, with more double clicks and keyboard strokes than a travel agent (remember those?) we played I spy. We kinda got the feeling that it was a game that might well be played by an office of workplace injury lawyers on a staff outing.

Two windows down intermittently vanishing from sight and battling an attractive set of cushions that were demonstrating Newton's laws sat a dignified and professional-looking lady. Despite having to frequently retrieve fallen cushions, and readjusting her homemade back support, she despatched each enquiry with efficiency and decorum that belied the frankly ludicrous situation she found herself in.

(Eazeechair S5)

We were brought back to the room with the shock of someone who had joined a stage hypnosis show for a laugh and was now standing barefoot in a tutu in front of 500 laughing strangers. Our unhappy awakening was caused by everyones least favourite sentence.

"You can take a ticket and pay at the window over there or online…?"

As we forlornly waited to pay, we were discussing the fact that more than any "5 reasons why..." or "3 things you didn’t know about..." article, a trip to the real world had shown us just why ergonomic chairs are worth it. They help improve the health, safety and productivity of your staff. What's more, if you have client-facing staff then simply do it for the sake of your company image. It was a rather expensive way to learn the lesson but, if the tax office is in any way representative, then good quality ergonomic adjustable standing desks and chairs are certainly worth it.

(Eazeechair S5)

 

Disclaimer

The information in this article is intended for general information and entertainment purpose and should not be construed as medical advice. Eazeechairs and its affiliated companies do not endorse the opinions or ideas contained in this article. Eazeechairs is not liable for any external links. This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

 

Reference

Antham. (n.d.). Are High End Office Chairs Worth the Investment? [Illustration].
https://anthamgroup.com/are-high-end-office-chairs-worth-the-investment/

Keveney, B. (2017, August 13). John Bradley's Sam Tarly proves a different kind of hero on HBO's 'Game of Thrones'. [Illustration].
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2017/08/13/john-bradley-sam-tarly-hbo-game-thrones/562319001/