Standing all day at work

Hello,

My sister is after taking up a job in a bank as general staff and is required to stand all day, standing next to a small standing desk where they are not allowed to have a chair.

Surely standing for long periods of time in the one spot would be out dated as in the long run, it would cause back problems and varicose veins

I know this is common in many roles, such as nursing, food and beverage staff

Princess Calla

Majority of retail staff with exception of supermarket cashiers would be standing all day too.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118095564#Comment_118095564

Good on Aldi for having seats, as it's not healthy

Princess Calla

Well I did my stint standing in retail for years and I've no varicose veins.

Also is there not a move to allow for standing desks as they are deemed more beneficial healthwise than sitting all day? Sitting all day can increase lower back problems.

It's a bank chances are she'll be rotated within 6 months anyway so it's not like she's contracted to standing until her retirement date.

freshpopcorn

What exactly are you asking?

SCOOP 64

I wouldn't stand for it.

Mrs OBumble

Think of it as motivation to get promoted to a job where she doesn't have to stand all day.

passatman86

Thats some standing order

SureYWouldntYa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118095945#Comment_118095945

Sure why not put her out the back shoveling coal, great motivation for anyone

listermint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118095945#Comment_118095945

More classic bumble advice

MARSH2021

If your sister doesn’t want to stand all day at work she probably shouldn’t start a job that requires standing all day at work ?

screamer

Yes it is common in banking roles, I’ve a family member too used to do that, all day on her feet, out on floor helping customers and then in the back office hauling heavy bags of coins. Pay and conditions in banking have worsened a lot TBH.

Sit on the small desk?

Strumms

Bank I go to has all of their staff seated and that bank has provided me with a superb professional and friendly service for over 20 years.... a business and profession such as a bank should have seated staff, it’s a bank, not a fast food restaurant.

StevenToast

Tell her to stand up for herself......

elperello

She should contact her local IBOA rep. to check if they can do anything.

Also a gel mat can be useful.

Murt10

Page 27 of this HSA document states that

Working in a standing position for a long period can cause sore feet, swelling of the legs, varicose veins, muscular fatigue, lower back pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders. Seating is required where most of the job can be carried out while seated or where there may be opportunities for workers for sitting down between tasks without detriment to their work.

https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/General_Application_Regulations/gen_apps_workplace.pdf

From what you say, your sister could carry out her job equally well sitting, on an appropriate high seat, as she can standing. IMO she should approach her union and let them take it up on her behalf. The union can raise the matter with management, and the HSA if necessary, without referring to her or drawing attention to her as a potential troublemaker.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118096223#Comment_118096223

If she's working on the floor greeting and guiding customers as they come in, then it's not a job that can be done equally well while sitting.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118096017#Comment_118096017

That's true, unfortunately she's the meek type and a lot of people aren't the best at asking such questions in an interview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118095958#Comment_118095958

Haha, the puns are mighty!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118095715#Comment_118095715

Asking about how such things are allowed in regards to health and safety in work. In the corporate world much attention is given to wellbeing and physical wellbeing needs to be observed to

mistersifter

She needs to learn to stand up for herself a bit more.

gauchesnell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058215647/standing-all-day-at-work

actually standing desks are also becoming more common in offices aswell. Also teachers/lecturers etc are on their feet most of the day aswell. I work in the public sector and I have colleagues are on their feet most of the day. No issues at all.

SEPT 23 1989

Far healthier to be moving on your feet than sitting at a desk

raclle

I have this exact issue in my workplace where there's little movement and suffer from pain in both my lower back and knees. Thankfully I wont be there much longer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118099746#Comment_118099746

The important part is moving, but also standing for 7 + hours on hard floor, is not healthy. Unfortunately, seems to be a situation where you make the most of it. If you're new in a position can't complain, it's not something a person can do for years without problems though, grin and bear it is best. I get what u mean with the sitting you need to get up and about every now and then and practice good posture.

Mrs OBumble

This position is based at a standing height table in the public area of a bank. This is nit a place where you could be seated and look professional. The person has plenty of opportunity to make small movements during the day, while assisting customers to step over to the machines etc.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118100918#Comment_118100918

Still standing all day is not healthy! Huge strain on muscles in legs - that's the point I was making. It is a mode of torture for employer to have their employee stand all day I don't work there so it's no my body or battle to fight though

Of course, you could sit down and look professional. It's