Problems with office chairs at work...

Whackeygrunt · 27 Sep 2017 at 20:13

Hey,

OK so to put things as simply as possible, my new employer (a large company with swathes of money) has done the stereotypical thing and filled the office where I work with a plethora of cheap, crap chairs that look like something from the late 90's or early 00's and are all uncomfortable.

But worse yet is that despite all the DSE bs, I'm getting serious lower back pain and my backside feels like it's been sexually assaulted after each working day due to how hard the seats are. This is purely down to the poor quality of chairs that I must sit on for nearly 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.

I'm sick of it now. I've offered to bring my own office chair in (a roughly 8 year old £200 at the time of purchase Staples one) which would solve all problems as I'm sat on it now in no pain and feel quite comfortable. This would cost them exactly nothing.

But no, apparently this is not allowed for what I can only assume is some bs insurance purpose and/or jobsworths

So what do I do?

Option A) Bring my own chair in anyway and tell them it stays or they can get me a specialist chair at cost or I walk.

Option B) Demand that they get me a decent chair, go through whatever fath on process they have in place to get one and probably end up with some half arsed monstrosity that may or may not improve my situation. I should add that I'm already in the process of doing this but appear to be getting nowhere. Probably because I don't have a diagnosed and recognised condition. I'm not willing to develop one first in order to get a decent chair...

Option C) Walk. I'm not paid enough to develop back problems due to a company being too cheap to look after its employees properly.

Spook187 · 27 Sep 2017 at 20:18

Get a none office bod job

neil_g · 27 Sep 2017 at 20:26

Good luck in your quest. No matter how big the company I'm yet to find an employer in 18 years that spends a reasonable amount on decent posture supporting chairs.

Raumarik · 27 Sep 2017 at 20:35

Make all your requests in writing, if in 6 months they haven't got you a chair it's time for some back problems - get signed off for it. Bugger all they can do about it and it may actually result in you getting a proper chair.

jpaul · 27 Sep 2017 at 21:11

option A) just arrive early one day and take yours in - have done that with two successive employers,
They both provided Herman Miller Aeron's (not so good imhop), I prefer a Balans kneeling style chair
Boss was curious and colleagues wanted to try it out but it was not a problem.

Russinating · 27 Sep 2017 at 21:18

neil_g said:
Good luck in your quest. No matter how big the company I'm yet to find an employer in 18 years that spends a reasonable amount on decent posture supporting chairs.

We do

. Stuff like this is crazy, even £200 on a chair is pittance vs the cost of a member of staff or a few days missed work.

neil_g · 27 Sep 2017 at 21:21

Russinating said:
We do . Stuff like this is crazy, even £200 on a chair is pittance vs the cost of a member of staff or a few days missed work.

Any jobs going?

Hades · 27 Sep 2017 at 21:31

neil_g said:
Good luck in your quest. No matter how big the company I'm yet to find an employer in 18 years that spends a reasonable amount on decent posture supporting chairs.

My office is wall to wall Herman Miller Aeron which are very comfy.

Tom_ed1987 · 27 Sep 2017 at 21:33

Similar problem at my place. The options seem to be either the crippling standard chairs, or the fully assessed orthopedic ones that cost £1k+ & are the most uncomfortable things ever for those without back problems.

BennyC · 27 Sep 2017 at 21:40

neil_g said:
Good luck in your quest. No matter how big the company I'm yet to find an employer in 18 years that spends a reasonable amount on decent posture supporting chairs.

Fortunately with our recent office move & refurnishing we were given a few chairs to trial and given the grace to pick which we preferred. So we have a few different types among the office

One chair very much doesn't fit all.

thenewoc · 27 Sep 2017 at 22:48

Ditto what halfmad said. Take plenty of breaks too, so you can stretch your legs. Request an electrically height adjustable desk too so you have the option of working between both postures.

Crazy penny pinching, a happy employee is a productive employee...

adolf hamster · 27 Sep 2017 at 22:55

option a followed by halfmad's suggestion if they insist you remove it?

finding excuses to stretch your legs isnt a bad shout either, few more bathroom breaks interspersed with walking around quickly carrying bits of paper to look like you're doing something

if you want to do option b i'd reckon the safety angle is a good route to go down, most companies might not pay much attention to health and safety for office staff but there is a valid angle to be had.

teaboy5 · 27 Sep 2017 at 23:04

You're going to walk over a chair?

Go via HR or whoever deals with a ergonomic assessment and get the chair that way.

Mr Badger · 27 Sep 2017 at 23:11

Whackeygrunt said:
But worse yet is that despite all the DSE bs, I'm getting serious lower back pain and my backside feels like it's been sexually assaulted after each working day

Your problem isn't the chair. The real issue is that you can't remember what they are doing to you due to all the rohypnol in the coffee...

terley · 27 Sep 2017 at 23:11

There is no insurance issue with bringing your own chair in..

MookJong · 28 Sep 2017 at 09:03

Always try HR first and then Overclockers when that doesn't work

If you are getting nowhere with work you should contact the HSE for advice. We are long past the offices of the 90s and there is no excuse for businesses not to be providing environments that meet regulations.

Delvis · 28 Sep 2017 at 09:14

Do your DSE, if there is a section for 'other' that doesn't cover something like 'do you go home pain free at the end of the day' write something in that box.

If there is no extra section, email it to your line manager with an accompanying statement, if nothing is done or acknowledged, get HR involved. If they do nothing or you don't have that, get occupational health involved.

It baffles me that companies even purchase the shoddy standard blue office swivvel chairs, let alone the tat you're describing.

d_brennen · 28 Sep 2017 at 09:20

adolf hamster said:
option a followed by halfmad's suggestion if they insist you remove it?

finding excuses to stretch your legs isnt a bad shout either, few more bathroom breaks interspersed with walking around quickly carrying bits of paper to look like you're doing something

if you want to do option b i'd reckon the safety angle is a good route to go down, most companies might not pay much attention to health and safety for office staff but there is a valid angle to be had.

I'm taking my clipboard for a walk shortly too

a1ex2001 · 28 Sep 2017 at 09:25

Your emploer is obliged to provide a workspace assessment and to ensure that you are not damaging yourself.

Go through the HR procedure all big companies have one, don't let it drag chase it daily until you get somewhere.

In the meantime do the following:

1. Perform a self assessment of your workspace to ensure everything is adjusted correctly as far as you are able inform HR of any issues i.e. No wrist supports monitor not adjustable to the correct height etc
2. Take regular breaks from your desk if anyone questions it say your chair is giving you back pain and regular breaks are necessary
3. Go to your doctor about the back pain get it in record asap.

Ayahuasca · 28 Sep 2017 at 09:25

Ask for a standing desk and a beanbag for laptop use and alternate between, while you're at it apply for a safe space.