Think you’ve just about covered all the bases when it comes to return to work? Perhaps you’ve arranged an ergonomic assessment for your returning employee. You might even have had discussions with the treating doctor about how the employee’s doing and what they can work towards. And you’ve probably spoken with your employee to see how they feel about returning to discover if there are any other issues – apart from the physical – which might need to be addressed.

Excellent. These are all good things to address and all increase the chances of a successful return to work in your workplace. And then you hear the news: there’s new research in Australia to show that – despite all of the above – just sitting at a desk could be putting workers in danger.

According to University of Queensland and Baker IDI research fellow Dr Genevieve Healy, even thirty minutes of exercise a day isn’t enough to stave off the occupational hazard of too much sitting down.

“Although many Australians have adopted the recommendation of getting at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity on at least five days of the week, we’ve been getting more overweight,” she says. “A person who follows the guidelines of 30 minutes of brisk walking and spends the other 97% of waking hours sitting is ‘physically active’ according to public health guidelines. However, the term ‘active couch potato’ is probably more appropriate.”

Dr Healy says sedentary behaviour has become a way of life for Australians, in large part due to the fact that many of us spend all day at work sitting at a desk. Instead of walking to talk to colleagues we can email them, and in factories there are labour-saving devices that reduce the need for movement.

But hope is not lost. Dr Healy says there are actions we can take to reduce the amount of sedentary time in the working day, leading to healthier and ultimately happier and more productive workers – and these are the workers for whom return to work will be easier: “There are plenty of simple ways to encourage people to stay active at work,” she says.

“For example, put high benches in the tea room and office so workers can easily incorporate standing into their working lives while eating lunch or reading. If you’re worried about your own inactivity levels, stand up while you talk on the phone and cut down on the number of emails you send – get up to chat with colleagues when you can.”