The Benefits of Height-Adjustable Desks: What Research Reveals

The “Stand Up to Work” study highlights how height-adjustable workstations can support productivity, concentration and overall wellbeing.

A workplace study found that height-adjustable desks can help reduce sedentary behavior, improve productivity and support employee wellbeing, both inside and outside the workplace.

The study, “Stand Up to Work: Assessing the Health Impacts of Adjustable Workstations,” compared employees using height-adjustable desks with those using traditional workstations over a 12-month period. The findings revealed improvements in productivity, concentration, physical comfort and overall health.

“This study is different from any other standing-desk study. It’s because of the combination of its long duration and its inclusion of complementary qualitative data,” says lead researcher Dr. Elizabeth Garland, associate professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Garland collaborated with researchers from the Center for Active Design (CfAD), global architecture and design firm Perkins&Will and Steelcase to explore how height-adjustable workstations influence employee health and workplace performance.

Key Benefits of Height-Adjustable Desks

The study identified several benefits of incorporating height-adjustable desks into the workplace:

• Reduced Sitting Time: Employees using height-adjustable desks reported a 17% reduction in sitting time after three months, a trend that continued through the one-year mark.
• Improved Physical Comfort: 47% of participants using height-adjustable desks reported a significant reduction in upper back, shoulder or neck discomfort.
• Ease of Use: 88% of participants reported that their height-adjustable desks were convenient to use after 12 months.
• Increased Productivity: 65% of participants reported increased productivity after one year, along with improved concentration. Participants also described feeling more active, refreshed, alert, flexible and energetic.
• Benefits Beyond the Workplace: 65% of participants said height-adjustable desks positively impacted their health outside of work.

Supporting Wellbeing in the Workplace

Employee wellbeing is an important consideration in workplace design. Creating environments that encourage movement, flexibility and comfort can help employees feel better and perform at their best.

Height-adjustable desks are one way organizations can support these goals by giving employees greater choice and control over how they work throughout the day.

The “Stand Up to Work” findings build on previous Steelcase research exploring how the physical workplace can influence employee wellbeing. One important dimension is cultivating vitality by creating environments that support energy, motivation and performance.

Organizations can incorporate several design strategies to promote employee wellbeing:

• Offer Choice and Control: Design spaces that allow employees to adjust their surroundings based on individual needs and preferences.
• Encourage Movement: Incorporate height-adjustable desks and flexible workstations that accommodate different working styles and promote movement throughout the day.
• Support Healthy Habits: Provide access to cafés and gathering spaces with nutritious food options.
• Bring Nature Indoors: Maximize natural light, outdoor views, ventilation and access to outdoor spaces.
• Promote Active Lifestyles: Include features such as accessible stairways, outdoor walking paths and bicycle storage.

Creating Healthier, More Flexible Workplaces

Physical wellbeing is an essential part of designing workplaces that help people move, think and feel better.

Research like “Stand Up to Work” reinforces the value of height-adjustable desks as part of a broader workplace strategy focused on employee comfort, flexibility and performance. The methodology and implications derived from the research is available in the executive summary.

By incorporating solutions that encourage movement and accommodate individual preferences, organizations can create environments that better support their employees throughout the workday.

Explore Height-Adjustable Desks for Your Workplace & Request a Quote

Support movement, comfort and flexibility with sit-to-stand desks designed for today’s evolving work environments. Height-adjustable desks allow employees to transition between sitting and standing, helping to reduce sedentary time while supporting productivity and wellbeing.