Ben Caton, Managing Director at Ergochair, on the human cost of musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) cost the UK 7.8m lost working days in 2023/24, according to the Health and Safety Executive. Behind that stark figure are real people, pushing through back pain, nursing sore wrists, struggling with necks that refuse to turn freely.
While the UK collects detailed data, the same story is playing out across the Gulf. In the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and beyond, MSDs are silently impacting productivity, health, and wellbeing.
Musculoskeletal disorders are the world’s most common occupational health problem. They affect muscles, joints, tendons, nerves, and spinal structures in which the physical framework all depends on. Studies show that MSDs remain the leading cause of disability globally. Among healthcare workers, prevalence ranges widely depending on role and region, while in the Arab world it generally falls between 43 per cent and 78 per cent.
In the UK, the 7.8m lost working days equate to shutting down a company of 30,000 people for an entire year. Meanwhile, 65 per cent of employers report ‘presenteeism’: staff who show up but work below capacity due to discomfort (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, 2023).
The Society of Occupational Medicine estimates a £2–£4 return for every £1 spent on workplace health initiatives. The arithmetic is simple: ignoring ergonomics costs more than addressing it.
Spotlight on Saudi Arabia and the UAE
In northern Saudi Arabia, more than 70 per cent of healthcare workers report at least one MSD, most commonly neck, shoulder, and lower back pain. Among dentists in Jeddah, a similar proportion report work-related MSDs, yet only about 25 per cent consistently follow ergonomic practices. In the Ha’il region, nearly eight in ten dental professionals experienced discomfort over the past year.
Among UAE teachers, more than 70 per cent experience MSDs, with neck pain topping the list. Prolonged sitting, heavy workloads, and low physical activity are the main contributors. These trends extend to office and clinical settings, showing that MSDs affect workers across sectors, not just manual labour.
The business impact
When someone works through pain, they are not just suffering — they are working slower, less accurately and moving closer to extended absence.
Starting with the right chair
Workplace ergonomics isn’t just about posture posters or stretch breaks; it begins with assessment. Understanding how people actually sit, move, and work is the first step in preventing injury and unlocking productivity.
If your teams spend hours at a desk, the chair is your first line of defence. Poor seating leads to slumped posture, uneven spinal load, and reduced circulation — all major contributors to back and neck pain.
Ergochair, a leading provider of bespoke ergonomic seating solutions, understands that prevention is paramount. With a commitment to customisation and a track record of helping millions of individuals find optimal comfort and support, Ergochair is taking the lead in proactive workplace wellness, one chair at a time.
Ergochair’s specialist seating is designed for people who spend long hours seated. With dynamic lumbar support, adjustable seat height, tilt, and armrests, and breathable materials that support comfort and focus, it helps reduce fatigue and improve productivity. Investing in quality seating like Ergochair transforms the work experience, reducing absences, enhancing concentration, and boosting overall engagement.
A thorough workplace assessment should also consider desk and screen height, keyboard placement, lighting, and workflow design. Even small adjustments can prevent major costs later. By combining ergonomic reviews with high-quality seating, employers can reduce discomfort before it becomes injury, creating environments where people perform at their best.
Breaking the cycle
So why do organisations still hesitate to address MSDs? Too often, they’re dismissed as minor aches rather than recognised as chronic conditions that erode productivity and wellbeing.
Cultural expectations also play a role in many workplaces, where ‘working through pain’ is seen as commitment rather than a warning sign.
Responsibility is often fragmented across HR, facilities, and health and safety teams, with no single owner driving a coordinated approach. Short-term thinking frequently prevails and ergonomic investments are postponed until injuries occur — when the costs and disruption are far greater.
In the Gulf, these challenges are amplified by diverse workforces, climatic pressures, and rapid office expansion. Yet it is precisely these dynamics that make a strong ergonomic strategy essential, protecting people and ensuring long-term business resilience.
Behind the statistics
Musculoskeletal disorders are not inevitable. They can be prevented, managed and even reversed with the right equipment and knowledge. Whether in Riyadh, Dubai, or London, ergonomics is a valuable investment.
Every day you delay, problems become more expensive to fix. Every complaint ignored becomes a bigger liability. The real question is not whether you can afford to invest in workplace ergonomics; it’s whether you can afford not to.
Behind every statistic is someone working in pain. Let’s give them a better seat.
CONTACT INFORMATION
www.ergochair.co.uk