DiRocco and colleagues used a survey to learn more about when people choose to stand or sit while working. The researchers share that “Adjustable height sit-stand desks are becoming the norm in many workplaces. . . . There were differences between actual and preferred behavior for each position, with participants sitting more and standing less than preferred across all task categories. There were differences between task categories with participants sitting less for generative and routine, and standing more for communication tasks. . . . Engineers reported the lowest standing rates, and also indicated standing more than preferred. . . . Finance reported the highest sitting rates. . . . Office workers would prefer to stand more at work. Occupation-specific needs and preferences, as well as types of tasks should be considered when providing workplace standing options.”
Tara DiRocco, Brianna Hall-Nelson, Ingrid Carlson, John Corrigan, Stephanie Kutcher, Patrick Mertz, and Erika Nelson-Wong. 2023. “Task Type, Preference, and Occupational Affect Standing Desk Utilization in Office Workers.” Work, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 295-308, doi: 10.3233/WOR-222174