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Workplace injuries tend to conjure a specific image: a construction site, a warehouse, heavy equipment. Not a desk.
But sitting for eight hours a day carries its own risks. You might not notice anything if you spend one day with your chair or monitor at the wrong height or your wrist extended at a weird angle, but slowly, over time, you’re likely to develop an injury.
There’s a good chance you already know what I’m talking about. Musculoskeletal disorders—back pain, neck pain, shoulder strain, and related conditions—account for roughly 30% of all absences in private industry, according to BLS data. For employers, these injuries rack up billions in related labor costs every year.
Why your back always hurtsA recent cross-sectional study published in Scientific Reports assessed ergonomic conditions among office workers and found that more than 80% had experienced musculoskeletal symptoms in at least one body region. The neck, lower back, and shoulders were the most affected (Fig. A).
The most common culprit of musculoskeletal pain? Chairs without adjustable seat depth (99%), though armrests that were too hard (84%) or too wide (65%) followed closely behind (Fig. B).
This research comes on the heels of a 2024 systematic review that found similar patterns. Across 25 studies in 14 countries, participants reported pain most frequently in the lower back, neck, upper back, and shoulder, with “working in an awkward posture” listed as the second-largest risk factor.
Fig. A: Frequency/percentage of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms occurrence across different body regions by pain severity among studied office workers (n = 99). *Due to the sample size approaching 100, the frequency closely approximates the percentage value. Source: Scientific Reports
Fig. B: Frequency/percentage of observed ergonomic issues in chairs (including seat height, seat depth, armrests, and backrest components) using the ROSA checklist. *Due to the sample size being close to 100, the frequency is approximately equal to the percentage value. Source: Scientific Reports
So where does HR fit into this?
I should clarify that none of this is an argument that employers are solely responsible for their employees’ physical health. People bring their own histories, habits, and risk factors to work. But the research is fairly consistent that workstation design influences outcomes in ways that are, to a meaningful degree, preventable.
For in-office teams, that means treating ergonomic assessments as something closer to routine maintenance than a one-time expense. Adjustable chairs, monitor risers, and keyboard trays are not glamorous line items, but they’re considerably cheaper than a workers’ comp claim.
For remote and hybrid teams, the calculus is similar. A home office stipend that helps your employees set up a functional workstation is an investment in the same logic: the work environment shapes physical health.
If you’re in a decision-making role, the business case is fairly clear. Fewer injuries means fewer absences, lower healthcare utilization, and sustained productivity from people who aren’t working through chronic pain.
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