Dutch employees spend an average of 8.8 hours sitting on an on average working day. That is about as long as five years ago, despite campaigns from, among others, the government to get workers moving. Especially home workers and IT people are a lot.
This is evident on Wednesday from figures from Statistics Agency CBS, which did research in 2024. The 8.8 hours of sitting consists of 4.5 hours while working itself, sitting for 1 hour while traveling to and from work (cycling does not count) and 3.3 hours in leisure time.
The figures are almost the same as 2019: then employees were on average 8.6 hours on a working day. At the same time, at many offices Stabbureau are indispensable. And a few years ago, the Ministry of Social Affairs launched a campaign to encourage employees to become more movement.
But those measures have not seemed to have paid off. And that while sitting a lot and little exercise entails health risks, such as the chance of arm, neck or shoulder complaints. A higher risk of cardiovascular disease and different types of cancer are also related to too much, writes Arbodienst ArboNed.
Buy a stabbade not enough
Only putting down a Staburie is also not enough: employees need information about their use. Many people tend to be in the wrong posture, ergonomist Erwin Speklé said to Nu.nl earlier. A Staburie can then cause extra complaints instead of reducing them.
According to ArboNed, it helps to walk during lunch and to consult or call standing (or even better: walking). You should actually get moving every hour, the Ministry of Social Affairs advises. This is possible, for example, by stretching your legs or making a round along the coffee machine.
Help every bit
“After twenty seconds of movement, your body is already switching out of the savings position,” says Femke van Leeuwen of ArboNed to Nu.nl. “A little movement on the working day can already do so much. Just grab the stairs, walk an extra round.”
“Many people are of the opinion: if I exercise three times a week, I have moved well,” she continues. “But moving on the working day itself is so important. You can’t catch up with that three times a week.” So you can overcome something like that by moving more on the working day in between, for example by consulting standing. “Also help small bits.”
According to Van Leeuwen, that measures like Stabureaus do not seem to help so far. “Changes like these go slowly.” For a long time, the Dutch were insufficiently aware of their sitting behavior and the harmful consequences thereof, she explains. She therefore welcomes that its consciousness increases through investigations such as this. In the long term, that will help: “It is a long -term matter.”
ICT people are the longest
Of all the employees, IT people are the most during their work: 7.1 hours. Other professions that score high are business economic professions such as accountants or financial advisers. Kelners, bar staff and cleaners are the least: an average of 1.1 hours per working day.
Employees who work from home are on average twice as long as non-home workers: 6.3 hours compared to 3 hours. The more someone works at home, the longer the person is per working day, as you can see in the image below.
Since the Coronacrisis, many employers have no longer an obligation to the office for five days. Most companies make it easier to opt for working from home more often. Some employees become more productive, but it also works longer in the hand.
Dutch Employees Spend An Average or 8.8 Hours Sitting Duration A Working Day. That is about the same as five years ago, Despite Campaigns by the Government, Among Others, to Get Employees Moving. Home Workers and IT Professionals in particular sit a lot.
This is accordance to figures from Statistics agency CBS on Wednesday, which conducted research in 2024. The 8.8 Hours of Sitting consists of 4.5 Hours of Sitting Turning Work Itself, 1 Hour of Sitting) and from work in Free.
The Figures are virtualy The Same As in 2019: at that time, Employees Sat for Angerage or 8.6 Hours on a Working Day. At the same time, sit-stand desks are indispensable in many offices. And a few years ago, the ministry of social affairs launched a campaign to encourage employees to move more.
But Those Measures Do Not Seem To Have Borne Fruit. And that is While Sitting a Lot and Little Exercise Involves Health Risks, Such as the Risk of Arm, Neck or Shoulder Complaints. A highher risk of cardiovascular diseases and varous types of cancer are also related to sitting too much, writes occupational health service arboNed.
Buying a sit-stand desk is not enough
Just Placing a Sit-stand desk is not enough: Employees Need Information about how to use it. Many people tend to stand in The Wrong Posture, Erwin Speklé PreviOutly Told Nu.nl. A sit-stand desk can then Cause extra complaints Instead of Reducing them.
Accordance to arboNed, IT Helps to Walk Duration Lunch and to Consult or Telephone While Standing (OR Even Better: Walking). You should actual Move Every Hour, advises The Ministry of Social Affairs. This can be done, for example, by stretching your legs or taking a walk to the coffee machine.
Every Little Bit Helps
“After Twenty Seconds of Movement, Your Body Already Switches Off The Economy Mode,” Says Femke van Leeuwen or ArboNed to NU.nl. “A Little Exercise on the Working Day Can Do So Much. Take the Stairs, Walk An Extra Lap.”
“Many people are of the opinion: If I Exercise Three Times A Week, then I have exercised fine,” She Continues. “But Moving on the Working Day itself is so important. You can’t make up for that by exercising three times a week.” You can prevent something like this by moving more in Between Dooring the Working Day, for Example by Consulting While Standing. “Just small bits help.”
Accordance to van Leeuwen, it is Easy to Explain Why Measures Such as sit-stand desks do not seem to help so far. “Changes like these happen slowly.” For a very long time, Dutch people were insufficiently aware of their sitting behavior and the harmful consequences thereof, she explains. She Therefore welcomes the fact that awareness of this is increasing through studies such as thesis. In The Long Term That Will Help: “It is a matter of perseverance.”
IT Professionals sit the longest
Or all employees, IT professionals sit the most duration their work: 7.1 Hours. Other Professors that score high are business economic professionals such as accountants or financial advisors. Waiters, Bar Staff and Cleaners sit the Least: An Average of 1.1 hours per working day.
Employees who work from home sit on on average twice as long as non-home workers: 6.3 Hours Compared to 3 Hours. The More Someone Works From Home, The Longer they sit by Working Day, As You Can See In The Image Below.
Since the Corona Crisis, Many Employers No Longer Require Employees To Go to the Office Five Days A Week. Most Companies Make It Easier to Choose to Work from Home More Often. Some Employees Become More Productive AS A Result, But It also Leads to Sitting for Longer.
