Occupational health policy in healthcare: why the office chair is often forgotten

Published 2026-10-26

In healthcare, thousands of people work not only on the ward but also behind a desk. Think of planners, administrative staff and doctors updating records. Yet the workstations of these people sometimes receive less attention than other risks at work. The issue concerns whether occupational health policy in care institutions looks equally carefully at all workstations.

Working conditions in healthcare often focus on physically demanding tasks. Staff lift patients, work in awkward postures and work long shifts. For this reason, preventing back complaints and using aids such as patient hoists often top the agenda. A good office chair, the right height of the screen and sufficient breaks therefore seem to come second. This is notable, because complaints of the neck, shoulders and wrists are also very common in office work.

There are several reasons why this happens. Care institutions have limited budgets and often have to set priorities. There are also fewer inspections of office workstations than of wards. Moreover, many people think that complaints from sitting are less serious than complaints from lifting. Experts, however, believe that all workstations deserve a good risk assessment, so that complaints are recognised early and prevented.

For employers and employees in healthcare, it is important to view occupational health policy more broadly. A healthy workplace means that both the ward and the desk are well arranged. Anyone who adjusts an office chair and a screen properly can reduce sickness absence and make work more pleasant. It is therefore worth checking whether the occupational health policy of your own organisation also covers the office workstation.

Sources: DutchHealthHub

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