Sit-stand desks can support healthier, more flexible workstations — but only when they are set up and used correctly. Here are five common mistakes we see during DSE assessments, and how employers can help prevent them.
Height-adjustable desks have become a popular investment for organisations looking to improve employee wellbeing, support hybrid working and create more adaptable workspaces. However, simply providing the desk does not automatically create a healthier workstation. Employees still need correct chair adjustment, monitor positioning, keyboard and mouse placement, posture guidance and regular movement throughout the day.
If you are responsible for procurement, facilities, health and safety or employee wellbeing, understanding these common mistakes can help you get better value from your investment while supporting a more comfortable workforce.
A sit-stand desk is not a replacement for good ergonomics
One of the biggest misconceptions is that a height-adjustable desk solves workstation issues by itself. In reality, it is one part of a wider DSE setup. A DSE assessment considers the whole workstation, including the chair, screen, desk height, accessories, posture and working habits.
Mistake 1: Standing all day
Standing is not automatically better than sitting. The greatest benefit comes from changing posture regularly rather than staying in one position for long periods.
Encourage employees to alternate between sitting and standing, change position regularly, walk to meetings where practical and take short movement breaks throughout the day. The goal is movement, not simply standing.
Mistake 2: Incorrect desk height
A sit-stand desk is only effective if it is adjusted correctly. Desks are often set too high, causing raised shoulders and bent wrists, or too low, causing employees to lean forwards. Some employees also use the same height for both sitting and standing.
When standing, employees should be able to work with relaxed shoulders and elbows comfortably by their sides. Simple setup guidance can prevent many issues before they become a problem.
Mistake 3: The monitor is not adjusted when the desk moves
The desk may move, but the screen often does not. If the monitor remains too low when standing, employees naturally look down throughout the day, which can contribute to neck and shoulder discomfort.
Providing monitor arms alongside height-adjustable desks makes it easier for employees to achieve the correct viewing position whether sitting or standing.
Mistake 4: Employees do not know how to use the desk
Many organisations invest in height-adjustable desks but provide little guidance on how they should be used. As a result, employees may leave the desk in one position, use incorrect height settings, continue working in poor postures or avoid using the standing function altogether.
Including workstation setup guidance during induction, or providing an online DSE assessment, can help employees gain the full benefit of the equipment.
Mistake 5: Assuming everyone needs a sit-stand desk
Sit-stand desks can be an excellent solution for many employees, but they are not always necessary for every workstation. In some cases, discomfort can be resolved by adjusting the existing chair, repositioning the monitor or providing accessories such as a footrest or monitor arm.
A professional workstation or DSE assessment helps identify whether a height-adjustable desk is the right solution, or whether another change would be more effective and cost-efficient.
Standardise or assess: choosing the right approach
There are generally two approaches. Some organisations standardise sit-stand desks across departments or office locations, which can improve flexibility, support hybrid and agile working, create consistent workplace standards and simplify procurement.
Others provide sit-stand desks following a workstation or DSE assessment where an assessor has identified that the equipment is likely to benefit the employee. For many employers, the best approach is a combination of both: clear workplace standards supported by assessment-led decisions where individual needs are identified.
Building sit-stand desks into your DSE programme
To get the best long-term value from sit-stand desks, employers should support them with a structured DSE programme that includes workstation self-assessments, setup guidance, support for both office and home workers, professional assessments where required, and a clear process for requesting additional ergonomic equipment.
This helps employees receive the right support while enabling organisations to make informed purchasing decisions.
Need advice on sit-stand desks?
Whether you are introducing height-adjustable desks across your organisation, reviewing workstation standards or supporting hybrid workers, Posture People can help.
We work with employers throughout the UK to deliver DSE assessments, ErgoPro online DSE assessments and expert advice on selecting ergonomic workplace equipment that supports employee wellbeing and long-term value.
