Last updated: June 10th, 2025
The University of Cincinnati conducted a study on the ergonomics of home office setups, titled “The Home Office: Ergonomic Lessons From the ‘New Normal'”.
What did they find?
Most people’s home office setups are horrible.
Slouching behind kitchen and coffee tables is the norm. Lounging on couches and beds is not uncommon, either.
The findings of this study, which surveyed the WFH habits of 843 employees, did not surprise us.
However, HR leaders responsible for designing and executing hybrid workplace strategies will want to sit up (ha) and take notice.
(Related: Complete Guide To WFH Ergonomics).
Most Dangerous WFH Ergonomic Failures.
The researchers, led by Dr. Kermit G. Davis, identified the following issues adversely affecting remote workers:
- Offset external laptop monitors were causing neck strain.
- Laptop screens were too low, causing incorrect sitting posture.
- Many home office chairs were the wrong height, with 41% being too low.
- 53% of workers had armrests, but 32% didn’t use them, and 18% adjusted them improperly.
- Laptop keyboards were too pokey, leading to potential wrist issues.
- Injuries from tripping or falling hazards are likely.
- 69% of participants did not use the back support of their chairs, and 73% lacked lumbar support.
Important!
Less than 10% of employees had proper ergonomic setups at home that included a standing desk and/or an ergonomic office chair.
Remove the incidental exercise that employees engage in at a commercial office, and you have sedentary employees sitting in uncomfortable positions for long periods of time.
What Are The Legal Risks Of Poor WFH Ergonomics?
The appalling WFH conditions for millions of Australian employees may soon be a nightmare for HR.
Australia set model WHS laws that apply to all remote and hybrid employees, mandating employers to eliminate or minimise health and safety risks.
Failure to do so can trigger Workers Compensation claims.
(Related: Dora Pro Standing Desk Review: Best WFH Desk?)
How Can HR Leaders Address The Risks?
Roughly 41% of full-time jobs in Australia can be done from home, according to Deakin University. 64% of those would prefer a hybrid arrangement.
While Australians continue to disagree about the exact number of hours in an ideal hybrid role, the workplace has clearly evolved. Most Australians expect to work from home at least part of their workweek.
HR leaders can support remote staff with the following:
| Ergonomic Initiative | Budget |
|---|---|
| Ergonomic chair and standing desk allowance. | $500-$800 per ergonomic chair, $500-$1200 per standing desk. |
| Coworking space allowance. | $450-$650/month per part-time hot desk. |
| Webinar sessions on WFH ergonomics. | $5,000-$10,000 to design and roll out the program. |
Reimbursing employees for upgrades to their WFH furniture and equipment is the most effective yet capital-intensive option.
We encourage leaders to weigh these costs up against productivity losses that stem from injured, uncomfortable and neglected employees.
Steven
Sam says:
Hi.
I am considering buying an electric standing desk. I have a large 44 inch monitor and am concerned about monitor wobble. Which desk and setup do you recommend?
Sam
Steven McConnell says:
44″ is huge – and side-to-side wobble is your biggest enemy. But most premium standing desks in Australia have minimal wobble. Search for “best standing desks in Australia – Arielle” in Google to find my comprehensive review of all standing desks – it will help you make the right decision.
Steven McConnell says:
You can buy either an UpDown Pro, KLIK, or any of the Desky or Omnidesk models – and you’ll be very happy.
Kyle says:
Hi Steven,
Great articles so far (I have read this one, the Magnus Pro, and the top desks of 2025), all in my quest to choose the best WFH desk.
When it comes to the UpDown KLIK vs Pro, would you say one is more stable than the other? Also, in terms of the frame/leg finish (black), do they both appear to have a similar look and finish?
These seem to be the main deciding point for me as I will be opting for the integrated cable management and hardwood option with either desk. The controller and speed of the desk does not bother me much at all.
Cheers,
Kyle
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Kyle, that’s what I also deliberated about for a long time. I was worried that the KLIK would wobble more. TBH they’re the same. Like all premium desks, both wobble a bit when extended near max height and loaded with a lot of equipment.
The leg look is very different, however. The Pro is much more chunky. Shape of the leg is almost square, while the KLIK’s is a more delicate rectangle. If you have a smaller space, the KLIK may be the better choice, as it will look less dominating.
Kyle says:
In terms of stability, how does the KLIK and Pro compare? Are you able to determine which is more stable/solid? I am not really concerned about the controller or speed of the motor but definitely want the most stable of the two. I was under the impression that the Pro is more stable due the “bulkier” frame but it’s hard to tell if it’s any better than the KLIK.
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Kyle, that was my #1 question when comparing these two standing desks. I was also originally under the impression that the Pro would be more stable, but my testing revealed that both are about the same.