Exploring Employees’ Motivation and Perceived Benefits of Using a Mobile Standing Desk in the Flexible Work Environment: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT

Background

Traditional workplace interventions have targeted sedentary behavior using standing desk-based interventions delivered in the physical workplace. However, little is known about standing desk interventions designed for employees in flexible positions working at home and in the workplace.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with the motivation to participate in and perceived benefits of a mobile standing desk intervention.

Methods

After participating in an 8-week intervention using a mobile standing desk, employees (n = 20) completed one focus group session. Focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis in NVivo.

Results

Themes associated with motivation to participate included: 1) trialability; 2) previous experience; 3) health concerns; and 4) difficulty accessing a standing desk. Themes about perceived benefits of the intervention included: 1) awareness of workday behavior; 2) productivity; and 3) usefulness in the home setting.

Discussion

Employees perceived work-related and health-related benefits from the mobile standing desk intervention. Motivating factors to use a mobile standing desk should be considered when recruiting employees for workplace interventions and programs.

Translation to Health Education Practice

Findings from this study may help health education specialists design standing desk-based interventions for employees with remote and flexible work schedules.

A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all the participants who contributed to the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a grant from The University of Alabama’s ORED Internal Funding Small Grants Program.