| – Cardiff ranks first among the seven Welsh cities analysed, with 6,510 average monthly searches relating to ergonomic office features. – Swansea follows with 5,150 monthly searches, ahead of Wrexham (3,730), Newport (2,020), Bangor (1,850), St Asaph (880) and St Davids (180). – The findings highlight local search interest in workspace comfort, rather than measuring workplace injuries or the number of people experiencing discomfort. – Flexible workspace provider Co-Space reveals five common office setup mistakes and practical ways workers across Wales can improve their working environment without spending a fortune. |
| Office workers across Wales are being encouraged to take a closer look at their desk setups, as new research puts Cardiff ahead of Swansea in a ranking of searches for ergonomic office solutions. From office desks in Wrexham to home workspaces in Newport, small flaws in a workstation can make the working day unnecessarily uncomfortable. For wider context, figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that 511,000 workers in Great Britain suffered from work-related musculoskeletal disorders in 2024/25, contributing to an estimated 7.1 million working days lost. These figures cover Great Britain as a whole, including Wales, rather than Wales alone. Of those affected in Great Britain, 43% reported conditions involving their back, while 41% experienced problems affecting their upper limbs or neck. The figures cover all industries and should not be treated as an estimate of workplace discomfort among office workers in Wales. Research from Co-Space, a UK flexible workspace provider, offers a local picture of online interest in ergonomic office solutions, comparing search volumes across seven Welsh cities. Cardiff leads Welsh cities for interest in ergonomic office features Searches for ‘ergonomic office’ and 1,773 keywords Aug 25-26 1) – Cardiff 6,510 2) – Swansea 5,150 3) – Wrexham 3,730 4) – Newport 2,020 5) – Bangor 1,850 6) – St Asaph 880 7) – St Davids 180 Analysing search volumes across 1,773 related keywords, the research found that Cardiff records 6,510 average monthly searches for ergonomic office solutions, placing it first among the seven Welsh cities analysed. Swansea ranks second with 5,150, followed by Wrexham with 3,730. Newport takes fourth place with 2,020 average monthly searches, followed by Bangor with 1,850. St Asaph records 880 searches, while St Davids completes the ranking with 180, highlighting interest in workspace comfort across both north and south Wales. The ranking reflects total search volumes rather than searches per resident, so it does not establish where individual workers are most interested in ergonomics or most likely to experience discomfort. It does, however, show interest in ergonomic workspace information across all seven cities. Commenting on the findings, William Stokes, CEO of Co-Space, says ergonomic offices and features are about more than expensive furniture: “When people think about what makes a good office, they often focus on how the space looks, but how comfortable it feels after several hours is just as important. “A poorly set-up workstation can leave employees dealing with unnecessary discomfort, particularly in their neck, shoulders and back. Even small details, such as the height of a computer screen, the positioning of a keyboard or the level of support provided by an office chair, can make a real difference to someone’s working day. “Ergonomics isn’t necessarily about investing in the most expensive equipment. It’s about creating a workspace that can be adjusted to suit the individual, rather than expecting every employee to work comfortably in exactly the same setup.” Five common office setup mistakes Welsh workers should look out for With the findings highlighting search interest in cities including Cardiff, Wrexham and Bangor, William revealed five common mistakes and the simple adjustments that could help employees across Wales make offices and home workspaces more comfortable. 1. Assuming an expensive office chair guarantees good posture One of the most important elements of an ergonomic workstation is having a chair that provides adequate support and can be adjusted to suit the individual. William explains: “Many people assume that buying an expensive office chair will automatically improve their posture and comfort, but even the best chair needs to be adjusted correctly. “Your chair should support your lower back, with your feet resting comfortably on the floor or a footrest. The seat height should also allow your forearms to remain roughly horizontal when using your keyboard. “If you’re regularly experiencing discomfort while sitting, it’s worth checking whether your chair is properly adjusted before rushing to replace it.” 2. Positioning your computer screen too low An incorrectly positioned monitor can encourage employees to lean forward or look down for prolonged periods, potentially contributing to neck and shoulder discomfort. “A common mistake people make is positioning their computer screen too low, particularly when working directly from a laptop. “As a general guide, your monitor should be approximately an arm’s length away, with the top of the screen around eye level. You should be able to view the screen comfortably without repeatedly bending your neck or leaning towards it,” William advised. “If you’re using a laptop for extended periods, investing in a separate keyboard and mouse, alongside a laptop stand, can make it much easier to achieve a comfortable setup.” 3. Keeping your keyboard and mouse too far away The positioning of everyday office equipment can affect how comfortably employees work, particularly when using a keyboard and mouse for extended periods. “People often overlook how far they’re reaching for their keyboard or mouse throughout the day. If your mouse is positioned too far away or your keyboard is too high, you may find yourself unnecessarily straining your shoulders, arms or wrists. “Try keeping your keyboard and mouse close enough that your arms can remain relaxed, with your elbows comfortably positioned near your sides. “Small changes to your desk layout can make a noticeable difference without costing anything.” 4. Thinking an ergonomic chair means you can sit all day Even with a well-adjusted workstation, remaining in the same position for hours at a time can contribute to stiffness and discomfort. William explains: “One of the biggest misconceptions about ergonomic offices is that having the perfect desk and chair means you can comfortably stay seated all day. “In reality, movement is just as important as the furniture you’re using. Employees should aim to change position regularly, take short breaks from screen-based tasks and avoid remaining in one posture for prolonged periods. “Height-adjustable desks can give employees greater flexibility to alternate between sitting and standing, but you don’t necessarily need specialist furniture to introduce more movement into your day. “Something as simple as standing up during a phone call, walking to speak with a colleague or taking a short break away from your screen can help break up long periods of sitting.” 5. Overlooking lighting and screen glare While desks and chairs are often the focus of ergonomic discussions, the wider office environment can also influence employee comfort. “Ergonomics is about much more than the furniture at your desk. Lighting, screen glare and the overall layout of an office can all affect how comfortable people feel throughout the day. “For example, working with bright reflections on your computer screen can lead to eye discomfort and encourage awkward viewing positions as you try to avoid the glare. Where possible, position monitors to reduce reflections and make use of adjustable lighting. “It’s also worth considering whether employees have access to alternative areas where they can work, take breaks or move away from their desks.” Employers in Wales also have a legal responsibility to assess workstations Beyond the changes individuals can make to their desk setups, employers also have responsibilities when it comes to creating suitable working environments. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) explains that, under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, employers must assess and reduce workstation risks for workers who use display screen equipment daily for continuous periods of an hour or more. These requirements also apply to home workers and can cover hybrid working arrangements. Assessments should consider equipment, furniture, working conditions, the job being done and individual requirements, with employers required to take steps to reduce identified risks. HSE also requires assessments when new workstations are set up, new users start work, workstations or their use change, or workers report pain or discomfort. William believes businesses should look beyond simply providing desks and chairs when considering employee comfort. He concludes: “One of the biggest mistakes businesses can make is assuming that simply providing a desk and chair is enough to create a comfortable working environment. “Every employee is different, and a workstation that works perfectly for one person may be completely unsuitable for someone else. “Ultimately, a well-designed office should adapt to the people using it, rather than expecting employees to adapt to an unsuitable environment. “Creating a comfortable workspace doesn’t always require a complete office redesign. Often, it’s the smaller, more thoughtful adjustments that can have the biggest impact on how people experience their working day.” |
| [donate]
| Help keep news FREE for our readersSupporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism,then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. |
