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cocookie
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« on: October 27, 2002, 09:27:43 am » |
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The new job has some very good points, so I hate to complain but I'm having major difficulty with the desk.
This is a brand new space and they had someone build in a huge and wonderful workspace. It's L-shaped and they even had the guy make the desk surface one foot deeper than normal so I'd have plenty of work space.
The problem is that they guy built it 2 inches higher than standard desk height! I raised the chair up so that the desk felt like it was normal height, but since I'm just barely above 5 feet tall I couldn't reach the floor with the chair up so high. Now my chair is back to normal, but I'm having to stretch to reach the desk. I've ordered a footrest but it hasn't been delivered yet.
Does anyone have any suggestions -- other than raising the floor!!!
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Jackie G
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« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2002, 12:30:05 pm » |
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Can they chop those extra inches off the desk legs??? What a silly thing to do, to make it hgher than your normal desk height! Do you have law on your side in the US? In the UK there is a legal height size for desks  Jackie www.iqps.org
DeskDemon Forum Board Staff
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cocookie
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« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2002, 07:20:12 pm » |
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Jackie,
It's a complete built-in cubicle type thing, so there aren't any legs to cut off. There is an L-shaped wall built, it has a counter at the top and the desk surface is mounted inside the wall and has supports underneath to give it strength. My DH thinks the guy who built it originally should just take out the work surface, drop it down 2", put the supports back in and put some kind of trim in to make it not look like it was a mistake. Since this work was just completed 2 weeks ago I'm not sure how receptive they'll be to a suggestion to re-do it; however, if I can't come up with any other ideas then I'll just have to suggest that they drop it down and see what happens.
Yes, in the US there are laws pertaining to ergonomics, but I'd like to pursue this without causing any trouble.
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bethalize
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« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2002, 10:20:21 am » |
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Copier paper makes a good temporary foot rest. You can add it ream by ream until it's the right height.
Bethalize
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff
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patphi
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« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2002, 01:59:53 pm » |
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Was the guy who did the job a contractor or someone internal? If it was a contractor and he was paid for the job, he should come back and fix it.
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countrigal
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« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2002, 02:31:19 pm » |
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You might want to address this with your supervisor. Take it to them, not as a complaint but as a situation you are working on but wanted them to be aware of. They might not realize that he built it that much higher and therefore they might appreciate you telling them so they can have him come fix it. In the meantime, I would do like Liz suggested and make a temporary footrest. Boxes work well for this too. If you delay in telling bossie, their opportunity to get the guy to fix it without additional cost may pass, so I'd look at discussing this soon.
CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member
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jak0215
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« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2002, 04:15:45 pm » |
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How about investing in a new chair with a foot rail/rest? Find your supply catalog and check out the chairs with foot rails - the ones I have seen are called Multi-taske swivel stools. Be sure to measure current hight of your chair raised to the highest height and find one that is similar in height if if works for you. I had to do this in a previous posotion as a receptionist. They renovated the lobby and adacent offices with large built-ins and really didn't take into consideration the height of the countertops of the reception desk. Getting a new chair worked out well for me and the woman who replaced me. I hope it all works out for you. Keep us posted.
jak
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radaro
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« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2002, 04:25:42 pm » |
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Even if it is a cubicle, they should be able to lower your desk. All our cubicle desks here are at a standard height but some people have requested that their desk be lowered and it has been done.
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cocookie
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« Reply #8 on: October 30, 2002, 12:46:32 am » |
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Thanks, everyone, for your advise. I liked the idea of the chair with a built-in footrest, but I'll hold that thought only as a last resort (it would still be difficult to scoot around with the seat high and my feet trying to reach the floor to push myself).
Bossie is out of town and due back tomorrow. I'm going to ask him to have the guy come back and lower the desk to conventional height. I don't know how he'll take it, but I do know that my back cannot take this elevated desk anymore!!!! Wish me luck.
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raindance
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« Reply #9 on: October 30, 2002, 05:28:10 pm » |
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Altering your workstation seems the only reasonable option, I think. Even when you have a footrest and new chair, you will still have to be able to reach the floor. It doesn't matter whether this work station was built recently or a long time ago - it doesn't fit its purpose. Can you ask your HR department to do a risk assessment of your work station?
Good luck.
Raindance
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cocookie
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« Reply #10 on: October 31, 2002, 05:07:22 am » |
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Good news! Talked to Bossie today; he sat down at the desk and agreed that it is too high. About 30 minutes later he came out and told me that the construction guy will be by to look at it tomorrw and he's sure that he can drop it down to standard height without much trouble.
Boy do I feel better. I'm pretty happy with this new job and I didn't want to blow it over the height of a desk.
Thanks, everyone, for encouraging me to speak up.
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Jackie G
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« Reply #11 on: October 31, 2002, 10:38:40 am » |
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Cocookie glad the news is positive. My favourite saying is - You don't ask, you don't get. You've just proved it! Jackie www.iqps.org
DeskDemon Forum Board Staff
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countrigal
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« Reply #12 on: October 31, 2002, 06:36:51 pm » |
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Congrats on taking the initiative to ask him... and on the positive results. Glad to hear it went so well.
CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member
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