Active working

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Get moving at work and combat the dangers of prolonged sitting with these ideas for active working.

Deskbound Britain

A sedentary nation

Staying in one place for too long is unhealthy for our bodies and our minds. The implications for office workers is worrying, especially as more and more of us are relying on computers to carry out our job roles.

One of the biggest studies so far found that sedentary behaviour can:


  • Increase the risk of developing type II diabetes
  • Increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease
  • Increase the risk of some cancers
  • Reduce life expectancy
  • Increase occurrences of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
  • Cause unhealthy ageing and poorer bone health later in life
Sedentary to active working

The outlook is just as bad for businesses. In 2014 the most cited reason for taking sick leave was back, neck and muscle pain - resulting in a loss of 31 million work days a year, a massive 25% of the total days taken off sick in the country.

Office workers - we're all at risk

Sedentary working impacts businesses in many ways


Lower concentration icon

Lower concentration

Reduced productivity icon

Reduced productivity

Lack of morale icon

Lack of morale

More absenteeism icon

More absenteeism

Strain of covering workloads icon

Strain of covering workloads

Recruitment difficulties icon

Recruitment difficulties

The remedy? An active working policy

The best solution is to adopt an active working culture. This requires us to change our way of thinking and the way we interact with our working environment.


Use the stairs instead of the lift icon

Use the stairs instead of the lift

Active breaks - away from our screens icon

Active breaks - away from our screens

Standing up on the train to work icon

Standing up on the train to work

Walk during lunch breaks icon

Walk during lunch breaks

Healthy nutrition & hydration icon

Healthy nutrition & hydration

Managers leading by example icon

Managers leading by example


View our active working brochure.

Download PDF

Stand up meeting

Keep active

The more we can move at work, the better. Staying in one position for too long - whether that’s sitting or standing - is bad for us.

Frequently changing your posture and taking opportunities to move away from your desk will help maintain the metabolic activity that breaks down fats and reduces blood glucose levels. Movement will also help you to maintain good postures and reduce muscle fatigue. As the following behaviours become routine, business efficiency should improve, along with the health and wellbeing of you and your colleagues.

Download our useful advice sheet for ways you can keep active around the office.

Download advice sheet

What is a sit-stand desk?

A sit-stand desk is simply a desk that can be adjusted to both sitting and standing positions. This encourages users to change their position throughout the day, which relieves stress on the body and reduces the risk of sitting related aches, pains, injuries and diseases.

Leading by example in this area is Scandinavia, with data showing that 90% of office workers there have access to sit-stand workstations. In the UK that figure is just 1%.

Contact us

To request more information or to seek 'no obligation' advice, please contact our experienced customer services team on +44 (0) 345 345 0010 or submit an enquiry.