Active working: the key to an ergonomically healthy and dynamic workplace

(Written by: Bert Claerhout, Ergonomic Consultant)

I see it with almost every client I visit: someone sits glued to their chair from 9 to 5, and by 3 pm their concentration is visibly fading. As an ergonomics adviser at Buro International, prolonged sitting is by far the problem I come across most often in companies. It is also the easiest one to solve.

Alternating between sitting, standing and moving is not textbook theory for me. It is something I practise myself and see working with clients: more energy, fewer back and neck complaints, a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and stronger muscles. A small start with a big effect over time.

At Buro International we design and deliver ergonomic office interiors that help employees work more actively without even thinking about it. From electric sit-stand desks to meeting spaces that encourage movement, I help companies make dynamic working as easy as possible.

1. Working on your feet with an electric sit-stand desk

For me, an electric sit-stand desk is the foundation of every piece of ergonomic advice I give. With one simple movement you switch from sitting to standing, and that small ritual is often enough to pull someone out of an hours-long sitting marathon.

Don't have a sit-stand desk yet? Then I always give my clients the same tip: take your calls standing up, fetch your own glass of water, or walk over to a colleague instead of sending an email. I have seen how a small habit like that makes a noticeable difference within a few weeks to how people feel in the evening.

2. Ergonomic meetings: don't stay glued to your chair

In my view, meetings are the biggest sitting marathons of the working day, and that is exactly where ergonomics is most often forgotten. When designing an ergonomic meeting room, I deliberately think in zones: high tables for a quick stand-up catch-up, comfortable seating for longer sessions.

I apply this myself in online meetings too: laptop on an ergonomic stand, or combining a call with a short walk with my headset on. Does it work? For me it does. After a meeting like that I am noticeably more alert than when I spend an hour slumped in front of a screen.

 

3. Moving in between: ergonomics starts with small habits

Movement doesn't have to be complicated, and that is precisely why it is so often underestimated. Taking the stairs instead of the lift, dropping by a colleague's desk, using a moment of waiting for a quick stroll: these are small choices that I make myself every day, and together they make a big difference.

A well-designed office encourages this automatically. With short walking routes, open zones and inviting places to meet, I make movement at Buro International a natural part of the working day, without anyone having to think about it.

4. Turn your break into an ergonomic moment of movement

To me, a lunch break is more than just eating: standing at a high table, a short walk, or heading outside with colleagues for a bit. I notice the difference most clearly after a break in which I have really moved: I start the afternoon with more focus than after a break spent at my desk.

That is why, in the ergonomic office interiors I design, I deliberately include company cafeterias and lounge areas that invite both interaction and movement.

5. Choose active commuting and an ergonomic home workstation

If you come to work by bike or on foot, you start the day with a boost of energy. That is the advice I give everyone who is considering it.

Working from home? Plan a short walk or bike ride there too, before or after your working day. With the ergonomic home working solutions I recommend, you can also switch easily at home between sitting and standing at a well-equipped home workstation.

 

Buro International: my partner in ergonomic office interiors and healthy workplaces

Alternating between sitting and standing works: I see it confirmed every day at the companies I work with. Fewer back and neck complaints, more energy, more productive teams. At Buro International I help organisations create ergonomic, flexible workplaces that naturally encourage active working, both in the office and at home.

👉 Would you like to know how your organisation can switch to a dynamic, ergonomic workplace? My colleagues and I will be happy to advise you on the right solutions for the office and for working from home.

 

Ergonomic consultant Bert Claerhout 

 

FAQ: alternating between sitting and standing

1. What is active working and how does it help prevent back and neck complaints? Active working means that you regularly alternate between sitting, standing and moving during your working day. My experience with clients confirms it time and again: by not staying in the same posture for too long, you improve your concentration, reduce the risk of back and neck complaints and raise your energy levels. With a sit-stand desk or a dynamically designed workplace, alternating becomes simple and natural.
2.  What are the benefits of active working for employees and companies? For employees, alternating between sitting and standing means a healthier way of working, more energy and less risk of complaints caused by poor posture. For companies I always see the same pattern: less absenteeism, higher productivity and a more motivated team. An investment in a healthy workplace pays for itself twice over.
3. How can Buro International help with a tailored ergonomic office interior? I work with you on the complete ergonomics of the office: from sit-stand desks and meeting solutions to break areas and flexible home workstations. My goal is a workplace that is not only attractive and functional, but genuinely contributes to dynamic, healthy working.