"It Feels Unhealthy to be Sitting for 40 hours a Week": A Qualitative Analysis of Employee Perceptions of Standing Desk Use in the Workplace.

Abstract

Reducing sedentary behavior (SB) is an important public health concern. The purpose of this study was to explore motivation to acquire a standing desk and strategies for using a standing desk through one-on-one interviews. Thirty-seven university employees (89% staff; 51% women) participated in the study. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide and brief demographic questionnaire. Data analysis yielded five themes about motivation to acquire a standing desk: (1) pain management; (2) health risk; (3) movement opportunity; (4) workspace flexibility; and (5) productivity and three themes about typical use strategy: (1) task-dependent; (2) time-dependent; and (3) threshold. Motivating factors for using a standing desk should be considered when encouraging standing desk use. Interventions should provide realistic strategies to establish a sit-stand routine that address employees' unique job demands and preferences.