Many workers may believe that an upright posture is healthy, but sitting upright could cause back pain. The Utah Division or Risk Management notes that there has been disagreement among experts about the best way for a worker to sit at a workstation.

Some ergonomists have recognized the value of the 90-90-90 position, which involves a worker having his or her ankle, hip and knee joints at 90 degrees. This type of posture allows staff members to maximize their mobility throughout the workday, which may raise employee productivity.

However, other experts have argued that workers should keep the aforementioned joints at 130 degrees. Doing so might limit the pressure an employee places on his or her back, and may help reduce the number of occupational health and safety injuries in an office.

The most important factor for office workers should be comfort. Employees who can complete daily tasks without feeling back pain may have a better chance to maintain workplace productivity.

Workers should make adjustments to their office workstations as they deem necessary. Be sure to adjust the height of a desk chair, seat pan depth and keyboard location to ensure comfort, as this will help employees stay healthy and productive.