Ergonomics is one part of the equation. What is ergonomics? The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language describes it as: “the applied science of equipment design, as for the workplace, intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort.” The objective is to select office furniture that allows your body to be in the proper positions as you perform your duties. This reduces negative physical effects, such as being seated without the proper back and leg reinforcement, typing in an awkward position because your desk is not at the correct distance or height, and other circumstances.

Beyond merely being annoying, an uncomfortable desk and chair arrangement might just be causing you to get less work done. After all, who wishes to work in such a setting? Even when you recognize that the work needs doing, a lot of people find suitable alibis to do other things when their bodies are being stressed by poorly designed furniture. The end result of all of this is, of course, low productivity.