Poor posture and prolonged sitting at the workplace lead to health risks and reduced productivity | Dr. Alan Hedge | Emeritus Professor | Department of Human Centred Design at Cornell University
The world’s preeminent ergonomics expert, Dr. Alan Hedge, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Human Centred Design at Cornell University, kicked off the Indian leg of his international speaking tour with a thought leadership event facilitated by New York head-quartered Humanscale ( in association with their Authorized India Distribution Partner, S Cube Ergonomics Pvt. Ltd) titled “Designing for Health & Wellness: Ergonomics in the Modern Workplace” at Mumbai recently.
As part of his global tour to promote the critical role of ergonomics in the modern workplace, Dr. Hedge delivered an independent and compelling keynote presentation at the event with moderated discussions that contextualised his insights to an audience of prominent Architects & Designers and key corporate decision-makers gathered to explore the evolving landscape of workplace ergonomics.
Dr Alan spoke about how the dramatically shifting work patterns demand smarter ergonomic solutions across multiple environments, from home setups to traditional offices and social spaces. With professionals now frequently bouncing between work settings, the risks associated with poor posture and prolonged sitting have never been more relevant. Dr. Alan highlighted how poor posture and prolonged sitting contribute to musculoskeletal disorders and why investing in ergonomic design benefits both health and productivity.
Dr Alan also elaborated on ‘Sitting is the new Smoking’ and the critical need to understand and be aware of the health risks associated with prolonged sitting at the workplace (Home or Office). He recommended 20 minutes of sitting with good posture, 8 minutes of standing ideally at a height-adjustable/sit to stand workstation, and 2 minutes of stretching and moving, like moving around the office, in a 30-minute cycle. This pattern is designed to reduce the negative health effects of prolonged sitting and promote healthy movement throughout the workday.
The key takeaway of the event was the economic argument for ergonomics. Beyond the obvious health benefits, implementing proper ergonomic solutions at the workplace translates directly to increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, and lower healthcare costs. It’s a win-win situation that savvy organisations and architects and designers simply can’t ignore.
A good move by companies would be to incorporate sit to stand workstations that promote posture changes throughout the workday and have positive ergonomic and health benefits. This type of ergonomic intervention can help the user work at the best seated height and also provide an opportunity to work productively in a standing position.
Dr. Alan Hedge, described by a former President of the International Ergonomics Association as “the most frequently cited ergonomist in the media”, successfully concluded the Indian leg of his global tour with a similar event scheduled at Bangalore post the Mumbai event.