Most workplace fatigue isn’t caused by working too hard, it’s caused by working in the wrong position, hour after hour, without realising it. Yet despite growing awareness of ergonomics, several persistent myths continue to shape how Australian offices approach workstation setup, often leading to wasted budgets and unresolved discomfort.
As specialists in workplace ergonomics, we regularly see these misconceptions in action. Sometimes, in brand-new offices fitted out with premium equipment that’s still being used incorrectly. Let’s break down the five most common myths, and what the evidence actually supports.
Myth 1: “Any chair with lumbar support is ergonomic enough”
The myth: If a chair has a lumbar cushion or adjustable backrest, it’s automatically ergonomic regardless of who sits in it.
Why it persists: Lumbar support is the feature most heavily marketed on office chairs, so it’s become shorthand for “good chair” in many buyers’ minds.
The reality: Lumbar support only works if it sits in the right place for your spine. A chair designed for someone 180cm tall will place lumbar support at the wrong height for someone 160cm tall — potentially pushing on the wrong part of the back and creating new pressure points rather than relieving them.
Fit is the determining factor, not features. The same chair can be excellent for one person and poor for another, depending on:
- Seat depth relative to thigh length
- Backrest height relative to torso length
- Armrest height relative to shoulder position
The fix: Before assuming a chair is “ergonomic,” check that the adjustable features actually align with your body. A chair with five adjustment points used incorrectly is less effective than a basic chair set up correctly.
Myth 2: “Standing desks eliminate fatigue”
The myth: Switching from sitting to standing solves postural fatigue. However, the more you stand, the better (for additional health benefits!)
Why it persists: Sitting has been heavily (and rightly) criticized for its health impacts, so standing has been positioned as the simple antidote.
The reality: Static standing causes many of the same problems as static sitting, just in different areas of the body. Prolonged standing without movement can lead to:
- Lower back and leg fatigue
- Swelling in the lower limbs
- Increased pressure on the feet and knees
The issue was never sitting or standing in isolation. It’s staying in any single position for extended periods. A worker who stands rigidly for six hours straight isn’t better off than one who sits for six hours straight; they’ve simply traded one set of strain points for another.
The fix: The real value of a sit-stand desk is the transition between positions, not standing itself. Aim to change posture every 30–60 minutes, and pair desk transitions with short movement breaks (covered in our companion article on post-setup habits).
Myth 3: “Ergonomics is a one-time setup”
The myth: Once a workstation is correctly configured, it’s done. No further adjustment needed.
Why it persists: Ergonomic assessments are often treated as a single event (a new hire induction, an office fit-out, a one-off OHS consultation) rather than an ongoing process.
The reality: Bodies change. Tasks change. Equipment wears down. A setup that was correct six months ago may no longer be appropriate if:
- The employee’s role has shifted (e.g., more screen-based work, new dual-monitor setup)
- Footwear has changed (heel height affects optimal chair height)
- The chair’s gas lift or tension mechanism has degraded with use
- The employee has had an injury, pregnancy, or other physical change
For organisations, this matters for compliance as well as comfort because workstation assessments are most effective as a recurring item, not a box ticked once during onboarding.
The fix: Build in a simple periodic check. Even a 5-minute self-assessment every quarter can catch drift before it becomes discomfort or a reportable issue.
Myth 4: “Expensive equipment guarantees comfort”
The myth: The more you spend on ergonomic furniture, the more comfortable and “ergonomic” your workspace will be.
Why it persists: Premium products are marketed with extensive feature lists, creating a perception that cost correlates directly with ergonomic benefit.
The reality: Positioning solves the majority of common workstation issues. Often before any new equipment is needed. A monitor that’s too low, a keyboard pushed too far away, or a chair set at the wrong height will cause discomfort regardless of how much each item cost.
In many cases, the most impactful changes are free:
- Repositioning an existing monitor to eye level
- Adjusting an existing chair’s height and depth
- Moving the keyboard and mouse closer to the body
The fix: Start with positioning. Once existing equipment is correctly configured, it becomes much clearer whether new equipment is genuinely needed. Additionally which specific item will solve the specific problem (rather than a general “upgrade” that may not address the actual issue).
Myth 5: “Wrist rests prevent RSI”
The myth: Adding a wrist rest to a keyboard or mouse setup protects against repetitive strain injury (RSI) and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Why it persists: Wrist rests are widely sold as RSI-prevention accessories, and resting the wrists feels more comfortable in the short term.
The reality: How a wrist rest is used matters more than whether one is present. If the wrists rest on the pad while typing, this can increase pressure on the carpal tunnel. The opposite of the intended effect. Wrist rests are designed for brief rest between periods of typing, not as a surface to type from.
The underlying cause of most RSI-related discomfort is usually:
- Desk or chair height forcing the wrists into an upward bend while typing
- Keyboard and mouse positioned too far away, causing reaching
- Lack of movement breaks over long typing sessions
The fix: Address desk and chair height first, so wrists can remain in a neutral (flat) position while typing without needing support. If a wrist rest is used, it should only contact the wrists during pauses and not throughout active typing.
The Common Thread
Each of these myths shares an underlying assumption: that ergonomics is about products rather than fit and habits. In reality, the most effective ergonomic improvements usually involve:
- Correctly positioning the equipment already in place
- Building in regular movement and posture changes
- Reassessing setups periodically as needs change
- Choosing new equipment only once positioning issues are ruled out
Getting these fundamentals right reduces fatigue more reliably than any single piece of equipment; premium or otherwise.