Overseas trends aimed at reducing the burden of standing at work

Overseas efforts to reduce the burden of standing at work

In recent years, there has been a growing movement overseas to reduce the burden of standing work. In particular, the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, passed an ordinance granting service industry workers the "right to sit." This ordinance legally guarantees that pregnant women, elderly people, and workers with disabilities can sit while working, as long as it does not interfere with their work.

This initiative is expected to contribute to maintaining worker health and improving work efficiency. Standing at work for long periods of time puts strain on the legs and lower back and causes poor circulation, which increases health risks. By allowing employees to sit down, it is believed that these risks can be reduced and the working environment can be improved.

Cultural differences in standing work in Europe and the United States

In the United States, many retailers require employees to stand while working, due to misconceptions that "standing is more efficient" and "sitting looks unprofessional," as well as the perception that the nature of the work requires standing. On the other hand, in many European countries, cashiers work while sitting, and work environments that emphasize worker health and efficiency are the norm.

Japan's Efforts and Future Outlook

As if responding to the movement in the United States, there are growing calls in Japan to reduce the burden of standing work. For example, the Metropolitan Youth Union, a labor union for students and young people, launched the "#Can't I Sit? Project" and submitted a petition to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, based on the Industrial Safety and Health Regulations, requesting that chairs be provided to workers who engage in continuous standing work.

These trends indicate that the development of work environments that prioritize worker health and comfort is becoming an international trend. In the future, it is possible that Japan will also see the establishment of ordinances and voluntary efforts by companies to reduce the burden of standing work.