More than half a million UK workers suffered a work-related musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) in 2024/25, with office staff, healthcare workers and teachers among those facing the greatest ergonomic risks.
Analysis of Health and Safety Executive (HSE) data by office furniture specialist Furniture At Work found 511,000 workers were affected last year, equating to 1,470 cases per 100,000 workers.
The impact extends beyond individual health. According to Office for National Statistics figures, 148.8 million working days were lost to sickness or injury in 2025, with musculoskeletal conditions accounting for 14.6% of absences, making them the second most common cause of time off work.
Neck and upper limb strain affects office and remote workers. Upper limb and neck disorders now make up 41% of all work-related MSD cases, affecting an estimated 211,000 workers, up from 37% the previous year. Experts say working from laptops at kitchen tables, unsuitable desks and poorly positioned screens can leave home workers in awkward positions for long periods.
In healthcare, patient handling takes its toll. Around 68,000 work-related MSD cases were reported in the health and social care sector, accounting for 22% of all work-related ill health. Manual patient handling, long shifts and prolonged standing are among the main causes.
For teachers, pain often goes unreported. An HSE-commissioned survey found three-quarters of primary school teachers experience ongoing back, shoulder or neck pain, yet around one in four never report it to their employer. Research highlighted by OSHwiki also found 82% of early years staff experience work-related MSDs at least weekly, while just 8% have formally reported symptoms.
Whether sitting, standing, bending or lifting, many workers are repeating the same movements for extended periods without appropriate furniture or equipment to support them. The analysis suggests there is no one-size-fits-all solution to tackling workplace MSDs.
So, what can employers do? Furniture At Work recommends tailored measures for different roles:
- Office and remote workers: ergonomic chairs with adjustable lumbar support, height-adjustable desks, monitor arms, and ergonomic keyboards and mice.
- Healthcare staff: anti-fatigue matting, height-adjustable stools, and supportive seating in nurses' stations and staff rooms.
- Teachers: height-adjustable and standing desks, ergonomic chairs for marking and lesson preparation, and anti-fatigue matting.
With more than half a million workers affected, the company says employers should ensure furniture and equipment are suited to the ergonomic demands of each role.