Grandma would be appalled. It seems no one sits up straight anymore. A study by furniture maker Steelcase (SCS) has just identified nine common ways that modern workers are sitting, mainly to use all those gadgets on their desks. The report, based on a survey of 2,000 people in 11 countries, also points out the stresses we impose on our bodies by sitting in unfamiliar postures.
Take what Steelcase calls “the Draw,” for instance. It’s a posture especially common among people who use tablets. The device frees them from the desk, allowing them to recline. The problem: Arms become fatigued after holding a device for long periods. Also, reclining can cause back pain when lower back support is inadequate.
