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Asking for anything at work is never easy. Well, some people always get their way at the workplace. But for most workers, it’s always a daunting process, and objections are always highly likely.
The case is no different when asking for a standing chair from your company. These desks are a serious investment, so you’ll need to convince your company to spend a significant amount of money to facilitate you with one.
As such, it’s only wise to plan everything well in advance to increase your chances of your request going through.
Read our helpful guide below for some helpful info on how to get a standing desk at work to help you counter excessive sitting and lead a healthy office work life.
Table of Contents
How to Request a Standing Desk At Work:
Here are the general guidelines you should follow to help you build your case and increase your chances of getting a standing workstation at work
#1. Do your homework about standing desks in advance
Presenting a request for a standing desk at work isn’t an overnight task. It takes time and planning. And one of the things you need to do is do plenty of research about standing desks.
This is the key secret to building a strong case that will help convince your boss that the desk is a good proposal.
Some helpful ideas to help build your case include:
- Your boss probably already knows that sitting all day is bad for your health. But you need to arm yourself with more info on how bad it is. Multiple studies are showing the negative risks that come with sedentary life. These will help back up your case.
- Research the benefits of standing. Explain how standing workstations counter the effects of prolonged sitting and their additional benefits like productivity benefits, calorie-burning, etc. If you’ve used a standing workstation desk before and got benefits from it, mention it in your case.
- You should also mention the cost of standing desks. The information about the general cost of the best standing desks is readily available. It will help give your boss a rough estimate of how much funds will go to this investment.
- Know the desk you want. Research the different standing desk options to help you decide which standing desk to request. You can choose a fully adjustable electric desk or a standing desk converter. Try to limit your suggestions to a few options when presetting your request (2-3 options with different price ranges will do).
- How will the new standing desk fit in your workspace? This is another important thing to keep in mind. Consider that your cubicle neighbor may be opposed to you peering over the wall. Come up with ideas to rearrange your workspace to maintain harmony.
#2. Presenting your case
A good approach would be to schedule an appointment with your supervisor or the boss (it depends on who you’re supposed to talk to). You can also add a topic to your regular meeting if you want to make your proposal in private.
When it’s time, be direct. Frame your case as a request to get a piece of office equipment that will enable you to do your job well. If you have used standing worktops before, be sure to state it.
Unless your company already has a budget for the desk, he may need to take some more time to consider your decision or even consult someone else. They may also ask you to put the proposal in an email or fill out a form.
If you have a doctor’s note justifying the need for a standing desk, present it when writing the email or filling out the form.
What if the time isn’t right to make a move? In this case, be sure to ask your boss when you should follow up. (More details on the right time to ask for a desk coming up).
#3. Make your stand-up desk request in person
It’s always a good idea to make your request for a standing desk in person. BUT…who exactly should you talk to?
Check if your workplace has a formal requisition procedure and follow it. Depending on the size of your company, you’ll need to decide who to talk to about the standing workspace.
This can be someone in the human resources department, someone high up in the company management, facilities manager, or simply from your immediate supervisor.
When you finally present your case, you should also stay a step ahead by knowing what to expect. In most cases, the boss will ask more questions about standing desks, e.g., their productivity improvements, health benefits, etc. Sometimes, your boss may send you to a different department.
Once you have found the right person to talk to, it’s time to present your case (as described in tip #3)
More tips for getting for standing desk at work:
The following additional tips will increase your chances of getting a standing desk from your employer.
#4. Check if your employer has a sit-stand desk policy
Before making the proposal, we advise you to check if they have a standing desk. This is where a company concerned with employee wellness sets a budget aside for this office furniture.
A good place to check is the employee handbook. You may also ask the HR department if they have any ergonomic resources or wellness programs.
Or you can casually ask anyone who is already using an adjustable desk.
#5. A doctor’s note may help you get a standing desk
While a doctor’s note isn’t necessary when requesting an adjustable standing desk at work, having it in hand may significantly increase your chances of getting a yes.
A professional medical doctor’s letter of medical necessity will help show your boss that a standing desk is more of a need than a want for you.
Note that a medical necessity letter can be issued by medical doctors, physical therapists, or chiropractors. Mind you, these professionals have recommended using standing workstations as a way to reduce neck pain as well as spinal problems [1].
A medical professional doctor’s note will be an even more powerful tool for your case if you have a medical condition that requires you to use a stand-up desk.
In this case, your boss will see a standing desk as a reasonable accommodation to enable you to perform your duties at work.
This will align with the Americans with Disabilities Act ADA accommodation, which requires all employees to provide reasonable accommodations for any worker the doctor determines has a disability.
#6. Know the right time to make a request
We can all agree that not any time is always the right time to ask for something at work, whether a raise or vacation time.
The case of standing workstations isn’t any different. You must think of the ideal time to make your move.
Generally, we advise you to ask for a desk at the beginning of the year. This is a good time because most companies’ department budgets are more flexible. It is also around this time that most wellness initiatives are kicked off.
If the idea of a standing desk doesn’t strike you at this time of the year, however, there are still other “good times” to try your luck.
For instance, if you have a change of leadership and your leader seems more open to ideas, that’s an ideal time! Let the standing desk be that perk if you haven’t recently asked for anything significant at work.
If you recently received a glowing annual review or made some recent accomplishment, use this to your advantage. And if you just wrapped up your project and your boss seems to be in a good mood, take your shot.
#7. Always brace yourself for a “NO.”
When all is said and done, you should always be ready for a rejection from your boss. Many reasons may force the company to say No. And most of them may be beyond your boss’s control.
For instance, there could be a union limitation in place. A budget constraint might also make the proposal impossible.
Some employers may also view standing workstations as too bulky or as distractions.
Or some may focus on ergonomic training for employees instead of getting them standing desks.
Don’t change your attitude toward your company or employer when your proposal is rejected. Continue being respectful, and keep up your good work.
Remember, you’ll need a good reference from your current employment when you decide to search for greener pastures in the feature.
Final Word – How to ask employer for standing desk
You might doubt your chances of getting a sit-stand desk at work and enjoying its long-term health benefits. But you’ll never really know until you give it a shot. They are more popular at workplaces you may think.
But don’t go to the boss with the overnight idea. You’ll need to take your time to figure out some crucial things in advance, including how to approach your employer, what kind of standing desk you want, and more.
Do your homework well and find out how your company regards the employee well being and whether they have a standing desk policy in place. You also want to know if it’s the right time or not to make the move.
One more thing, don’t demand the desk. Be humble and demonstrate how it will benefit you and your work input.
With all the helpful tips we have shared in this guide, you should be able to build your case well in advance and increase your chances of getting that sit-to-stand desk at work.
