The Benefits of Adjustable Desks for Employees

The benefit isn't standing all day

Standing at a desk all day isn't necessarily better than sitting all day. The real benefit of a height-adjustable desk is the ability to alternate between the two.

Changing position throughout the working day can help reduce the strain associated with staying in one position for extended periods. Rather than treating standing as the goal, an adjustable desk gives employees more flexibility to change their working position when needed.

Support better ergonomics

Desk height is an important part of an ergonomic workstation.

A properly adjusted desk can help position the screen at an appropriate height while allowing the employee's arms to rest naturally and their neck to remain in a comfortable position.

Even the best monitor or office chair cannot compensate for a desk that is consistently at the wrong height. Making the desk itself adjustable gives employees greater control over their overall workstation setup.

Make the workspace more inclusive

A fixed-height desk is designed around an average, but employees aren't all the same height.

For taller or shorter employees, working at a fixed desk can mean spending hours at a workstation that isn't properly suited to their body. Over time, this can contribute to unnecessary discomfort and strain.

An adjustable desk allows the workstation to be adapted to the individual employee rather than expecting every employee to adapt to the same setup.

Consider the wider employee experience

Workplace equipment can also signal how seriously a business takes employee wellbeing.

A comfortable, adaptable workspace can contribute to a better day-to-day working environment, particularly for employees who spend much of their working day at a desk.

Adjustable desks are not a substitute for broader workplace wellbeing initiatives, but they can form part of a workspace designed with long-term comfort and flexibility in mind.

Is the investment worth it?

Adjustable desks typically cost more than standard fixed-height desks, so the investment should be considered alongside how the workspace will actually be used.

The benefits are also unlikely to come from simply having an adjustable desk available. Employees need to use the functionality and regularly change position throughout the day.

Simple habits can help make that easier. For example, building short periods of standing into the working day can encourage employees to make use of the flexibility the desk provides.

For businesses with the budget available, adjustable desks can be a worthwhile addition to an ergonomic workspace. The priority, however, should be creating a setup that works as a whole — including the desk, chair, monitor, keyboard and other equipment.

Building a better workspace setup

Whether a business is setting up a new office or equipping remote employees, workspace equipment works best when considered as one complete setup.

The right combination of devices, screens, peripherals and ergonomic equipment can create a more comfortable and adaptable working environment, while giving employees the flexibility to configure their workspace around their needs.

Where Ooodles fits

An adjustable desk is only one part of a well-equipped workspace. The laptops, monitors and accessories that sit around it are just as important to creating a setup that works for each employee.

Ooodles manages the full lifecycle of those devices in-house, from procurement and delivery through to collection and redeployment. Businesses can buy or rent any brand, new or refurbished, with delivery available within 24 hours.

For HR and Ops teams, that means one partner and one platform for tracking devices, employees, contracts and invoices, without the need for a dedicated IT department to manage it all.

FAQ

Are standing desks better than sitting desks?

Not necessarily. The main benefit of an adjustable desk is the ability to alternate between sitting and standing rather than remaining in either position for the entire working day.

Are adjustable desks worth the extra cost?

They can be, particularly when employee wellbeing, ergonomic flexibility and long-term workspace requirements are priorities. The value depends on whether employees actually use the adjustable functionality.

What height should a desk be?

There isn't one height that works for everyone. The desk should allow the employee to work comfortably with the screen positioned appropriately and the arms resting naturally. An adjustable desk makes it easier to achieve this for different employees.

Should every employee have an adjustable desk?

Not necessarily. Businesses can consider factors such as the employee's role, workspace, budget and individual requirements when deciding where adjustable desks would provide the most value.