38% believe a culture change is needed to address sedentary behaviour at work

More than one-third (38%) of respondents believe that a complete culture change is required to encourage staff to spend less time sitting at work, according to research by Active Working.

Its survey of 275 employees, which has been conducted to mark On Your Feet Britain Day on Friday 28 April 2017, part of the Get Britain Standing campaign, also found that 32% of respondents want access to adjustable desks.

The research also found:

  • 90% of respondents believe they absolutely or somewhat should be more active in the workplace, compared to 5% of respondents who feel they have no need to increase activity during their working hours.
  • 60% of respondents report that colleagues spend six or more hours a day sitting down during a typical day at the office, and 90% estimate that colleagues spend more than five hours a day sitting down.
  • 75% of respondents are very aware of the health risks of prolonged or excessive sitting, and 20% are somewhat aware of the risks associated with sitting disease but want to know more.

Gavin Bradley (pictured), founding director at Active Working, said: “Employees across the country need to start asking for more activity in the workplace. No employee should be expected to sit for excessive or prolonged periods like battery hens.”