Task chairs are essentially specialized office chairs. While you may hear the terms desk chair, task chair, and office chair interchanged, they aren’t the same thing. So what’s the difference? And why does your office need them?
Officemakers is here to explain. As always, if you have questions beyond the scope of this blog, contact us. We’d love to help you try some task chairs in person and feel the difference.
What Makes Task Chairs Different
Task chairs provide two important qualities to any office space:
1. They Promote Good Posture
With taller backs and ergonomic shapes, modern task chairs help reduce strain on employees’ backs and joints.
- Modern employees love a corporate culture that acknowledges their health and well-being.
As an employer, anything we can do to encourage employee health and longevity is a perk to today’s workforce.
2. Task Chairs are Versatile and Suitable for Many Workers
Task chairs swivel, and are adjustable for different heights. While they’re not known for having other “bells and whistles,” the height adjustment feature is especially valuable if your organization runs more than one shift. If employee A is one height, and employee B is much taller, task chairs are easy to adjust quickly between shifts.
Do I Need Task Chairs in My Office?
Full-time desk employees spend close to 2,600 hours seated at their desks every year, according to lifehacker.com. And while the stand-to-work movement is gaining popularity and changing how some employees try to work, the fact is that many staffers still need to sit for the majority of their day.
Beyond the importance of employee happiness and well-being (which we’ve blogged about before), we wondered if the ergonomic design of task chairs would have a direct effect on your bottom line. And it does!
Know that office work does present risks to employee health. These risks can lead to increased sick days, reduced performance, and even the loss or early retirement of top talent.
We looked to the ultimate source, OSHA, for a list of some common risks associated with sitting at a desk that truly do affect your employees’ health, like:
- Musculoskeletal disorders from excessive computer use or improper ergonomic situations.
- Working in awkward positions or performing repetitive tasks.
- Improperly adjusted seating.
So it’s true. Improper seating DOES affect your bottom line!
How to Choose the Perfect Task Chair for Your Office
We think this Steelcase research article says it best: “A good chair should mimic the user’s natural spinal motion, not move in the opposite way the spine wants to move! By offering employees only high quality, ergonomically advanced task chairs, and by training those employees to use the chairs effectively, employers can design a significant portion of the risk out of the work environment.”
If you’re shopping for task chairs, here’s what to look for:
- Quality, breathable upholstery that will be easy to clean, keep your employees cool, and not absorb sweat or coffee spills
- Easy adjustment without the use of tools
- Chairs that swivel and roll easily
- Chairs that feel light and agile, and let you get up quickly
It’s helpful if you know the size of your desks in the office when you come to the showroom.
Officemakers is Your Source for Quality Task Chairs
Our showrooms at 1005 Katyland Drive in Katy, TX are open Monday – Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm. Our staff would love to help you sit in hundreds of office chairs and task chairs. Unlike the big box stores, our fully trained business office furniture specialists know every detail about every model. We’re ready to show you each style and explain the various benefits of every model we carry.
So drop by our showroom today! We’d love to show you the Officemaker’s difference.
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