3M Study Says Standing at Work Can Adversely Impact Workers

Despite health reports that say standing at work can lead to health benefits, new research by Futuro Legwear from 3M reports that 55% of working Americans who stand on their feet for more than four hours a day have skipped exercise, socializing with friends (25%), playtime with their kids (64%) and household chores (44%) due to leg and foot discomfort as a result of their work day. The study also sheds light on some of the issues that adversely impact overall work performance when employees are on their feet daily. 

Many occupations require a lot from workers, including spending extended amounts of time on their feet with only a few breaks built into the day. Futuro Legwear has found that 79% of American workers who stand for half the day or more say that their legs or feet feel tired, achy or swollen after work. Additionally, the study revealed that workers are capable of achieving much more if they suffered from less discomfort. Fifty-seven percent of American workers reported that they could get more done, work longer hours (46%), better serve clientele (26%), and depend less on coworkers for help (23%) if they had less discomfort in their legs and feet. Furthermore, 64% of workers would give up their morning coffee for relief and 51% say they would rather sit eight hours in a dentist chair than stand for the same amount of time at work.

Other relationships are being affected as well. In addition to complaining to a co-worker, loved one or friends, Americans have asked significant others, family members or roommates to take on additional responsibilities in the home at least 3 times over the course of a month simply due to leg and foot discomfort. 

The survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 employed U.S. adults who work on their feet for four or more hours per day, between January 7 and January 14, 2015, using an email invitation and an online survey. 

From now through July 27, 2015, Futuro Legwear will host the Stand Strong sweepstakes inviting people to share stories about how they make an impact while standing strong every day for a chance to win a series of prizes. Visit www.futuro-usa.com/standstrong for information on the sweepstakes and Futuro legwear.