Doctor's note for a standing desk?
pippywillow
Posts: 253 Member
I'm transitioning into a new position at work that will have me sitting most of the day. I'm concerned about not being active. I'd like to get a standing workstation, but we have a policy at work where you need a doctor's note. I know my doctor would be willing to write a note for me, but I really don't have any diagnosis besides wanting to be healthy. I don't have back pain or anything. Has anyone had any luck with this?
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For me, the answer was yes. But, if the answer had been no, I would have bought this for myself on my own dime (Amazon perma-link):
http://a.co/4avQW3Y
I love being able to stand when I have all-day desk sessions.0 -
My workplace provides them without a doctor's note.
How about because you want to combat shoulder fatigue, or hip flexor tightness, or some other reason?2 -
My work provides them upon asking (or in the newer spaces they just put them in regardless).
As for a doctor's note, like above, I'm sure you could find some excuse to put on there from lower back pain sitting all day to tight muscles.2 -
pippywillow wrote: »I'm transitioning into a new position at work that will have me sitting most of the day. I'm concerned about not being active. I'd like to get a standing workstation, but we have a policy at work where you need a doctor's note. I know my doctor would be willing to write a note for me, but I really don't have any diagnosis besides wanting to be healthy. I don't have back pain or anything. Has anyone had any luck with this?
Something like this at my office is considered "reasonable accommodation" for an existing issue, but you have to provide documentation of said issue for my employer to provide that reasonable accommodation...ie doctor's note, etc.
We recently had a couple of people here get them as they had proper documentation...as soon as they got them, everyone and their brother wanted one and it would have cost us tens of thousands of dollars that we don't have lying around...once it was explained that they needed to fill out the reasonable accommodation form and return it with a doctor's or specialists signature, it all went away.
I would imagine that this is one of the reasons your company is asking for a doctor's note.6 -
I work for a large corporation. Some managers will get them for anyone that asks. Others need doctor note.
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I'm sure your doctor can come up with a reason.
Over the years, my doctors have been very helpful getting me reasonable accommodations for this and that.0 -
Buy your own and bring it in. I bought mine on Amazon for about $250.00 & the Fatigue Mat. You won't need a MD note for that.3
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Your doctor shouldn't have to give a reason. Like a sick note, he doesn't say what is wrong with you for privacy reasons. So with this, just that for health reasons you need a sit stand desk, not way. My doctor thinks everyone should have one for health reasons, so was easy to get the note.4
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I would just say that I want to remain proactive with my health because I sit for 8 hours a day. My doctor would write me a note with that.0
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I just got an ad for this on MFP! Sounds kind of cool
https://ponoola.com/product/pono-board/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2u3Zjcbe2wIVSj1PCh3zqwjBEAEYASAAEgK_hPD_BwE0 -
I'm sure I read an article recently that standing (still) was barely any better than sitting (still) as far as activity and weight loss is concerned and as far as health benefits you're really just exchanged one set of risk factors for another.
The benefits come from movement rather than static standing (or sitting). There were however some benefits gained from changing positions back and forth between standing and sitting through the day as opposed to remaining in one or the other position all day long.1 -
I'm sure I read an article recently that standing (still) was barely any better than sitting (still) as far as activity and weight loss is concerned and as far as health benefits you're really just exchanged one set of risk factors for another.
The benefits come from movement rather than static standing (or sitting). There were however some benefits gained from changing positions back and forth between standing and sitting through the day as opposed to remaining in one or the other position all day long.
I would probably get one of these instead!
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Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »I'm sure I read an article recently that standing (still) was barely any better than sitting (still) as far as activity and weight loss is concerned and as far as health benefits you're really just exchanged one set of risk factors for another.
The benefits come from movement rather than static standing (or sitting). There were however some benefits gained from changing positions back and forth between standing and sitting through the day as opposed to remaining in one or the other position all day long.
I would probably get one of these instead!
I thought about getting something like that, or maybe a ball chair, to strengthen my core, but do I really want to commit on sitting on one of those all day? Has anyone tried one of those?
I would definitely like the option to stand. And I do think I'd get more steps in if I took a couple steps to the printer every time instead of just pushed my chair back a couple feet, maybe that's not enough to make a difference, I don't know. It seems like I'd be more active.0 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »I just got an ad for this on MFP! Sounds kind of cool
https://ponoola.com/product/pono-board/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2u3Zjcbe2wIVSj1PCh3zqwjBEAEYASAAEgK_hPD_BwE
Ooh that does look cool! But expensive, I wish I could try it out.0 -
Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »For me, the answer was yes. But, if the answer had been no, I would have bought this for myself on my own dime (Amazon perma-link):
http://a.co/4avQW3Y
I love being able to stand when I have all-day desk sessions.
^^^THIS^^^
As a business owner I get employee requests for all kinds of things all the time. If it is important to you, and not the norm for the office, I would suggest that you talk to the boss, them them your health goals, explain your concerns about being sedentary, and if it would not be too disruptive to the office...offer to contribute towards the cost above the cost of your "normal" desk. That would get my attention and let me know you are serious...and I would probably cover the cost then.
You may also want to look into your health insurance as well. Many, including ours, offers cash back to employees if they use the gym...enough to cover most or all of the cost of the gym membership (depending on the gym).
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Just buy your own.
Though, I'm not sure how/why standing is inherently better than sitting.3 -
Just buy your own.
Though, I'm not sure how/why standing is inherently better than sitting.
I work at the register in a store. Luckily I get a chair for my health, but I stand all day if it's busy. My coworkers also stand (and they don't have chairs). Our lower backs and feet hurt by the end of the shift.2 -
Maybe you could buy something like this standing deak convertor for yourself.
https://www.amazon.com/Standing-Desk-Converter-Adjustable-Workstation/dp/B077X8T1ZD/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1529415035&sr=8-5&keywords=standing+desks&dpID=51mOg13XY6L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
You could make a concious effort to get up from your chair and walk to the printer, walk more on your breaks, exercise more before or after work.1 -
I work in a call center and am pretty much tied to my desk with a phone cord. My sit/stand desk has been a lifesaver, and I frequently get an additional 5000+ steps in my day from walking and moving in place. I spend about half my day in my chair and the other half standing and moving.
My office has two options for the sit/stand desk: A medical note will get you a motorized sit/stand which can be pricey, or they offered a Varidesk (liftable desk like other have linked) without a note. I have the Varidesk which works great! The only downside is you have to lift it up manually, but I don't have back problems so it's not really an issue for me.
One recommendation would be a really good anti-fatigue mat! I have a thick, flat mat, but if you have the extra funds I'd go with something like this....the extra ridges/rounds can help stretch your feet if you stand for long periods of time.0 -
pippywillow wrote: »Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »I'm sure I read an article recently that standing (still) was barely any better than sitting (still) as far as activity and weight loss is concerned and as far as health benefits you're really just exchanged one set of risk factors for another.
The benefits come from movement rather than static standing (or sitting). There were however some benefits gained from changing positions back and forth between standing and sitting through the day as opposed to remaining in one or the other position all day long.
I would probably get one of these instead!
I thought about getting something like that, or maybe a ball chair, to strengthen my core, but do I really want to commit on sitting on one of those all day? Has anyone tried one of those?
I would definitely like the option to stand. And I do think I'd get more steps in if I took a couple steps to the printer every time instead of just pushed my chair back a couple feet, maybe that's not enough to make a difference, I don't know. It seems like I'd be more active.
We all had balls for a while. They were fun, but not really comfortable. I would bounce for a few minutes, then go back to my regular chair. Staff meetings were...odd...when everyone was bouncing out of sync.
Then, the novelty wore off, and when balls deflated, they were not reinflated or fixed, and gradually moved out into a grave in the warehouse.0 -
i work in HR- keep in mind that many, not all, ask for a normal desk after awhile bc the standing is a bit much.
just take walks on your breaks and get up and move regularly.0 -
I work in the healthcare industry, but my position has me at a desk all day. They were very cool, and bought everyone in the department stand-up desks a few years ago. I alternately use mine in the up position probably 50% during a day, and can certainly feel the difference from sitting all day. I attribute it mostly to the difference in blood flow between sitting and standing, and I understand that standing does burn more calories, even if only a nominal amount.
After having gotten my desk, I find myself standing more during "inactive" time at home, such as playing video games or watching TV ... or annoying my wife. I have to admit, I'm probably standing when annoying my wife for the faster escape benefits!
In any case, I vote, heck yes, you should do whatever you need to get one. The net benefits are definitely positive.0 -
I bought two for my team a year ago. They are a nice gimmick, but I haven't seen them used in months.
I have a fitbit Flex 2 and it reminds me when I don't get 250 steps in an hour. I just get up and walk around the building every hour.0 -
Just buy your own.
Though, I'm not sure how/why standing is inherently better than sitting.
I looked into this awhile back because I was thinking about getting a standing desk. Essentially, you're exchanging one set of risks for another and essentially, you're still sedentary...just not sitting.
I have some back issues related to a herniated disk from a couple of years ago and thought this might help...ultimately I decided against it and just started getting up every hour to walk around the office building...I usually need to either use the rest room and/or fill my water bottle every hour, so I just take the scenic route. It's helped a lot, and I get my 8-10K steps in during the day (depends on whether or not I walked my dog).0 -
I bought two for my team a year ago. They are a nice gimmick, but I haven't seen them used in months.
I have a fitbit Flex 2 and it reminds me when I don't get 250 steps in an hour. I just get up and walk around the building every hour.
Same around here. There are a couple people that have adjustable sit/stand desks, and the novelty wore off quite some time ago...I hardly ever see them standing.1 -
Mine goes up and down and can be used sitting or standing. I stand about half the day. I bought the extra shelf for work, but when I am referring to too many books or documents I usually sit so I'm not bending over to see everything. I do try to stand for at least 20-30 minutes every hour.
We do ergonomic evals here at work and the desk was part of mine (as was the new chair and the foot rest). The standing desk has really helped manage my back pain. It was about $500.0 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »I bought two for my team a year ago. They are a nice gimmick, but I haven't seen them used in months.
I have a fitbit Flex 2 and it reminds me when I don't get 250 steps in an hour. I just get up and walk around the building every hour.
Same around here. There are a couple people that have adjustable sit/stand desks, and the novelty wore off quite some time ago...I hardly ever see them standing.
yup, same at my work place. one guy got a standing desk and another got a ball chair - they loved them the first day or two and haven't used them since!0 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »Just buy your own.
Though, I'm not sure how/why standing is inherently better than sitting.
I looked into this awhile back because I was thinking about getting a standing desk. Essentially, you're exchanging one set of risks for another and essentially, you're still sedentary...just not sitting.
I have some back issues related to a herniated disk from a couple of years ago and thought this might help...ultimately I decided against it and just started getting up every hour to walk around the office building...I usually need to either use the rest room and/or fill my water bottle every hour, so I just take the scenic route. It's helped a lot, and I get my 8-10K steps in during the day (depends on whether or not I walked my dog).
haha... I could write almost the exact same post about myself.
I've got an adjustable desk at work... and whether I stand or sit depends on how I'm feeling (mostly my lower back) at any given time.
I also try to get up and walk/move periodically.
I also have no trouble hitting 10k steps as long as I walk my dogs.0 -
Muscleflex79 wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »I bought two for my team a year ago. They are a nice gimmick, but I haven't seen them used in months.
I have a fitbit Flex 2 and it reminds me when I don't get 250 steps in an hour. I just get up and walk around the building every hour.
Same around here. There are a couple people that have adjustable sit/stand desks, and the novelty wore off quite some time ago...I hardly ever see them standing.
yup, same at my work place. one guy got a standing desk and another got a ball chair - they loved them the first day or two and haven't used them since!
My entire team got them a couple years ago. I'm the only one who still uses the standing functionality and that's just because I found it eliminated my back pain.1 -
There was style of management called "management by walking around" (MBWA). Visiting the water fountain or restroom or group printer or other department about once an hour helps me be productive, but still not get stiff. YMMV0
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