Electric Height Adjustable Desks for Improved Wellbeing

Client: Royal Borough of Greenwich | Location: Woolwich

Our Role: Furniture supplier & project collaborator

Client Overview

The Royal Borough of Greenwich is a London local authority responsible for delivering a wide range of essential public services. Within its Customer Service Department, staff spend extended periods at their desks supporting residents and managing enquiries, making comfort and ergonomics critical to daily operations.

Objectives

The Challenge

The department had relied on fixed-height bench desks for many years. Over time, staff feedback highlighted increasing discomfort associated with prolonged sitting, leading to fatigue, reduced energy levels, and concerns around long-term wellbeing.

Recognising the importance of a healthier and more supportive working environment, the council sought an ergonomic solution that could be tested and evaluated before wider implementation.

Whiteleys Office Furniture was invited to assess the workspace and provide recommendations.

The trial aimed to:

Improve staff comfort and posture
Introduce a more ergonomic and flexible workstation solution
Support employees who sit for extended periods
Gather real-world staff feedback before committing to a full rollout

Benefits

The Solution

Whiteleys supplied a selection of electric height-adjustable sit–stand desks, which were installed across the department for a multi-week trial period.

During the trial, employees were able to adjust their desks to suit their individual working preferences. Key features included:

Smooth electric height adjustment, allowing effortless transitions between sitting and standing
Customisable working heights, supporting a wide range of body types and tasks
Improved ergonomic alignment, helping promote better posture
Memory presets, ideal for shared workstations and hot-desking environments

The introduction of electric height-adjustable desks delivered clear benefits:

Increased energy and alertness – alternating between sitting and standing improved circulation and reduced lethargy
Reduced fatigue and improved focus – regular movement helped maintain concentration throughout the day
Greater flexibility – staff could tailor desk heights to their personal comfort needs
Improved workplace ergonomics – encouraging healthier working habits across the department

Outcome

Feedback from staff during the trial was overwhelmingly positive. Employees reported noticeable improvements in comfort, energy levels, and overall wellbeing.

As a result, the Royal Borough of Greenwich approved a full upgrade, replacing many of its existing fixed-height desks with electric height-adjustable models across multiple floors.

Conclusion

This project highlights how a well-planned ergonomic solution can deliver tangible benefits for both employees and organisations. By partnering with Whiteleys Office Furniture, the Royal Borough of Greenwich successfully created a more flexible, supportive, and future-proof working environment.