With thanks to all who participated, here are the results of my latest weekend poll. Our focus: Do you have the option of using a stand desk in your office? 

You want them

… or, at least 70% of respondents do, and at least one reader included a caveat that this be a sit-stand desk, so that there are options to both sit and stand during the work day. 21% of you reported that you’d asked for, and secured, a stand or sit-stand desk. Another 14% of respondents have made the request, but to no avail at this point in time.

A slight increase in  stand desk users over 2016

35% of respondents use either a stand desk, or a sit-stand desk. This compares to 33% in last year’s poll. None of this year’s respondents had used their stand desks for more than four years. In fact, almost half the respondents who do use such a desk reported that they’d had them for only two years or less.

A few readers offered comments via LinkedIn. One pointed out the need to give thought to the size of a stand desk, and how much space you have available. As well, configurations are such that you may have less usable desktop space than before.  Another mentioned that she and her colleagues were recently invited to take part in a survey and try out such desks before deciding if they wanted to order them.

Are your days sedentary? How to counter that

While it’s great to see even a minor increase in the percentage of readers who report using stand desks, it’s worth noting that 56% of respondents said they sit five or more hours each day at the office. A third of all respondents sit all day. On the other hand, 16% report standing three or more hours a day at the office.

To counter this sedentary job, 62% of respondents reported that they get up and go for a five-minute walk twice (or more) during the work day.

I also asked readers about the frequency with which they exercise for 30 minutes or more each week. While a quarter of all respondents said they don’t exercise, roughly a third work exercise into their routines three times or more every week.

THE DATA

Do you use a stand desk in your workplace?

• 57% of respondents: No
• 24% of respondents: Yes – I have a sit-stand desk that gives me options
• 11% of respondents: Yes – I have a stand desk
•  8% of respondents selected “Other”. Comments included the following.
  • This option would likely be available to me if requested
  • I have a desktop raiser on order
  • But following a recent back issue I’ve created a temp one

If so, how long have you had a stand/sit-stand desk?

• 45% of respondents: 1 – 2 years
• 36% of respondents: 2 – 4 years
• 18% of respondents: Less than a year

Would you use a stand desk if one was made available to you?

• 70% of respondents: Yes
• 17% of respondents: No
• 13% of respondents selected “Other”. Comments were as follows.
  • If it could convert to a sitting desk do I could sit when I wanted to
  • Possibly
  • And they will be available in our new office

Have you approached your employer about the prospect of using a stand/sit-stand desk? 

• 48% of respondents: No
• 21% of respondents: Yes, and I secured one
• 14% of respondents: Yes, but to no avail as of this point in time
• 3% of respondents: No; I have a stand desk, but it was at someone else’s initiative
• 14% of respondents selected “Other”. Readers commented as below.
  • I am considering requesting one.
  • My employer and many (in financial sectors) have changed/updated to sit/stand desks.
  • That is all we have, where I work.
  • Moving office in 4 months so not an option

How many hours do you estimate you sit at your desk each day?

• More than 10 hours: 3% of respondents
• 9 – 10 hours: 3% of respondents
• 8 – 9 hours: 3% of respondents
• 7 – 8 hours: 14% of respondents
• 6 – 7 hours:  14% of respondents
• 5 – 6 hours: 19% of respondents
• 4 – 5 hours: 22% of respondents
• 3 – 4 hours: 5.5% of respondents
• 2 -3 hours: 5.5% of respondents
• 11% of respondents selected “Other”. Comments were as follows.
  • I got the desk on Friday – not sure yet!
  • But I get up in between
  • Every 2 hours I change from sit to stand.
  • (I) alternate with standing using my temp desk/chest height cabinet

How many hours do you estimate you stand at your desk each day?

• 4 – 5 hours: 3% of respondents
• 3 – 4 hours: 13% of respondents
• 2 -3 hours: 7% of respondents
• 1 – 2 hours: 17% of respondents
• Less than an hour: 20% of respondents
• 0 hours; I sit all day: 33% of respondents
• 7% of respondents selected “Other”. Comments were as follows.
  • Every 2 hrs I change from stand to sit
  • I got the desk on Friday – not sure yet!

Do you make a point of getting away from your desk and going for a walk of five minutes or more at least a couple of times a day?

• 44% of respondents: Yes; I do so three times daily  
• 18% of respondents: Yes; I do so twice daily
• 12% of respondents: Good idea; maybe I’ll work this into my routine
• 9% of respondents: Yes; I do so once daily
• 6% of respondents: No
• 9% of respondents selected “Other”. Readers commented as follows.
  • Often more than that
  • During my lunch break, I do a 15 minute walk outdoors
  • Yes, I do many times during the day

During a typical week, how frequently do you exercise for 30 minutes or more?

• 25% of respondents: Not at all; no exercise 
• 19% of respondents: twice a week
• 16% of respondents: once a week
• 12.5% of respondents: three times a week
• 12.5% of respondents: five times a week
• 6% of respondents: seven times a week
• 3.33% of respondents: four times a week
• 3.33% of respondents: six times a week
• 3.33% of respondents selected “Other”. One person commented, “Only when its possible, since I work late hours, mostly on weekends”