Sitting at a desk for 8hrs a day in a windowless office is ruining my health

[GiveMearoomwithaview]

NHS. Senior management. Since Covid and the advent of teams all meetings are online.

I often spend days back to back in meetings. Many of them are centrally organised so no option to move or not attend.

As the hospital has expanded more and more admin space has been taken for clinical areas and the remaining admin space re-purposed for clinicians/administrative staff with managers expected to hot desk. I have no issue with that except it precludes any sensible Occy health assessment for seating or desk set up.

Ive been in private physio for over a year relating to lower back pain from sitting for so many hours. I have osteopenia and two stress fractures which were unprovoked. My doctor recommends “moving more” but it is utterly impossible with my job role.

The latest “office” the managers have been sent to is a windowless rectangle which I’m informed was previously a store cupboard. I’ve been in there for 6 months. Horribly depressing.

Raise it with health and safety that you need a standing desk.
I hate employers who treat their employees that way

I always book meetings for 25/55 minutes to have a break in between.

I too sit in a windowless office and my god it’s depressing. I call it the room of gloom. Luckily I have persuaded my manager that I should be able to work from home 2 days a week so only have to go in once and then I travel the other 2 days. It’s horrible and I really feel for you it’s just so unpleasant

Sorry your occupational health was not more helpful.

Are you in a union? If your workplace is ignoring occy health recommendations maybe the union could help, particularly if you can show your health is being impacted