Boss Bans Chairs For Productivity, Watches Hell Break Loose When Workers Start Following All Rules

Many physically demanding jobs require being on your feet all day, such as cooking, cleaning, or construction. However, even in roles where work could be easily done while sitting down, standing is still often required, which many employees have a bone to pick with.

Just like these airport workers, who, after their manager took away their chairs, decided to unite and do the bare minimum, wreaking havoc in the airport. Scroll down to find the full story and conversation with human resources expert Wendy Sellers, aka The HR Lady, who kindly agreed to share her insights on the topic.

Many question why workers are expected to stand when they are perfectly able to do their duties seated

Airport employee sorting luggage at baggage claim, representing airport employees uniting after manager removes chairs

Image credits: svitlanah / envatoelements (not the actual photo)

These workers even started boycotting when their chairs were taken away by new manager

Airport employees protesting and uniting after their manager removes chairs from the work area at the airport.

Airport employees unite to protest after manager removes chairs from their workstations behind baggage counter.

Airport employees unite in protest after manager removes their chairs to keep agents standing at the belt.

Airport employees standing united indoors, discussing their work conditions and loss of chairs due to manager’s actions.

Airport employees protest after manager removes their chairs, citing safety concerns as the official excuse.

Airport employees united in protest after manager removes their chairs, standing together inside the airport terminal.

Airport employees unite in protest after manager removes their chairs, causing workplace tension and discomfort.

Text emphasizing airport employees following rules, highlighting job duties amid manager chair removal controversy.

Group of airport employees standing united in protest after a manager removes their chairs in workplace dispute

Airport employees unite after manager removes their chairs, sparking protests and union grievances at the workplace.

Large collection of suitcases at an airport terminal symbolizing airport employees uniting against manager decisions.

Image credits: EyeEm / freepik (not the actual photo)

Airport employees unite in protest after manager removes their chairs, causing workplace disruption and delays.

Airport employees protest manager after he removes their chairs, showing unity and dissatisfaction at the workplace.

Text on image reading I was lucky enough to be apart of three of these events over the years but this was the most satisfying about airport employees uniting.

Image credits: Anonymous

On average, workers spend about 55% of their workday standing

Airport employee using a card reader at counter, representing airport employees uniting after manager takes chairs away.

Image credits: davit85 / freepik (not the actual photo)

According to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for 2024, on average, workers spend about 4.13 hours of their workday standing. This comes to about 55% of the workday, which is a slight decrease from previous years when the average ranged from 57% to 61%.

Occupations whose workers spend the most time standing include food preparation and serving, building, construction, healthcare support, and sales-related roles. People in these positions can spend up to 97.6% of their workday on their feet.

BLS states that standing is present when workers are not sitting or lying down, which also encompasses walking, climbing, stooping, and other movements. Prolonged standing or frequent motion can lead to lower back pain, fatigue, muscle pain, leg swelling, and even increased cardiovascular problems.

While this is unavoidable in roles where tasks can’t be done sitting down, employees who could work seated but are still required to stand have been making some waves for quite some time now. This is completely understandable, as standing all day without an apparent reason not only crushes employees’ morale but also can be very tough on the body.

Human resources expert Wendy Sellers, aka The HR Lady, explains that some managers insist that employees stand, even when the job can be done while seated, due to two main reasons—ignorance and ego.

“Many managers simply do not understand ergonomics or how the human body actually works. They have heard “standing desks or stations are healthy” and twisted it into “everyone must stand all the time,” without grasping the nuance of proper posture, movement breaks, or individual needs. The other factor? Power. Insisting people stand is a straightforward way to assert authority: “I say you stand, so you stand.” It feels managerial, even though it is often counterproductive.”

Employers can’t refuse workers a place to sit simply because they prefer that they stand

Airport employees united protesting a manager taking away their chairs in a busy airport retail checkout area.

Image credits: pch.vector / freepik (not the actual photo)

Just like in this story, many employees are pushing for the right to sit down, so some countries and states in the US have no choice but to put out laws that state that employers can’t refuse workers a place to sit simply because they prefer that they stand. In addition, they have to provide their employees with suitable seating during work activities and breaks.

“There is no principled reason for denying an employee a seat when he spends a substantial part of his workday at a single location performing tasks that could reasonably be done while seated, merely because his job duties include other tasks that must be done standing,” wrote Justice Carol A. Corrigan.

Greater flexibility and a wider range of body movements are beneficial for workers, as being in one position, whether standing or sitting, for too long can have negative effects on both physical and mental health. By changing poses, workers are using their muscles more, which reduces strain and pain on individual muscles and improves their blood flow.

Those employees who feel that their job can be done seated but are still expected to stand should bring this issue to their manager or employer, as under some laws, they are legally required to provide them with seating.

“First, they need to arm themselves with facts. Pull together credible sources—OSHA guidance on ergonomic best practices, peer-reviewed studies on sit-stand balance, maybe a quick consult with an ergonomics specialist,” Sellers suggests.

“Then they should schedule a calm, professional chat with their manager (or HR), present the evidence, and propose a trial of a hybrid approach: “Let’s do a two-week pilot where I alternate sitting and standing, track my comfort, productivity, and any posture-related complaints, and revisit the policy afterward.” Framing it as an experiment takes the emotion out and focuses on data. If they can demonstrate equal or better performance and fewer aches, it’s hard to justify a blanket ban on chairs.”

Readers approved of workers’ malicious compliance

Screenshot of a Reddit conversation about airport employees uniting against a manager who took away their chairs.

Airport employees protesting together, visibly upset after their manager removes their chairs at the workplace.

Airport employees unite against manager in protest after their chairs are taken away, showing workplace unity and defiance.

Comment expressing frustration about managers taking away basic comfort like sitting, related to airport employees uniting against manager chair removal.

Airport employees unite in protest after manager removes their chairs during a long convention requiring standing all day.

Reddit user slice_of_pi commenting on workplace rules, reflecting airport employees uniting after manager removes chairs.

Airport employees gathered in protest after manager removes their chairs, showing unity and workplace conflict at the airport.

Airport employees gathered in protest against manager after chairs were removed from their workspace.

Airport employees unite in protest after manager removes their chairs, showing solidarity and workplace unrest.

Comment about airport employees uniting against manager who removed their chairs, highlighting workplace discomfort and protest.

Comment describing airport employees uniting after manager takes away their chairs in a workplace setting.

Airport employees protesting outside a terminal, united against manager who took their chairs away.

Comment from user ThorKruger117 discussing airport employees and union action after manager takes their chairs away.

Comment expressing frustration from airport employees united against manager removing their chairs in the workplace.

Comment from an airport employee explaining how the management’s chair removal decision sparked employee unity.

Reddit comment discussing airport employees uniting against manager after removal of their chairs during inspections.

Comment on an online forum about airport employees uniting against a manager who removed their chairs.

Airport employees standing together in a break room, united in protest after their manager takes away chairs.

Airport employees demonstrating unity and frustration after manager removes their chairs, showing workplace conflict and solidarity.

Airport employees gathered in protest, visibly upset after manager removed their chairs, showing unity and defiance.

Comment discussing airport employees uniting against manager after removal of their chairs and comforts at work.

Comment expressing support for airport employees uniting against manager who took their chairs away.

Airport employees protest together after manager removes their chairs, showing unity and workplace conflict at the airport.

Airport employees gathered in protest, united against manager after their chairs were taken away at the workplace.

Airport employees protest together inside terminal after manager removes their chairs, showing unity and resistance.

Text post discussing airport employees uniting against manager after chairs were taken away for safety reasons.

Comment expressing frustration about airport employees forced to stand after chairs were removed by manager.

Comment discussing makeshift chairs used by employees, highlighting challenges faced with supervisors and workplace compromises.

Comment criticizing airport employees for uniting against manager after he takes their chairs, sparking conflict.

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!