BELGIUM: teleworking increases neck, back and shoulder pain

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According to a survey of 475 people carried out by the Idewe field service, teleworkers suffer more pain than office workers in the neck (53% vs. 36%), back (58% vs. 48%) and shoulders (39% vs. 25%).

The reason for this is :

• 9 out of 10 teleworkers suffer from incorrect adjustment of the office chair, compared to 7 out of 10 office workers;
• incorrect height of the desk: 48% vs. 22%;
  inadequate screen level, although less problematic: 15% vs. 13%;
• sitting in front of the screen for one hour or more in a row for 80% of teleworkers (compared to 66% of office workers).

On the other hand, 59% of teleworkers engage in moderate to high intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day, compared to an average of only 53% of office workers. Teleworkers also replace the time spent on the way to work by walking or cycling. 

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