ðŸ–Ĩïļ Desk Check
Ergonomic Edition

8 Things to Fix Right Now
Stick Figure Walkthrough 🖊ïļ

Is your workstation making your body pay?

Two co-op students get a live ergonomic audit. Here's what they learned — in stick figures.

1. Chair Height 🊑
90° Hip level!
The Fix
Feet flat on floor. Hips at 90–110°. Thighs parallel. Adjust the chair lever — not the armrest!
2. Seat Depth ↔ïļ
2-3 finger gap here!
The Fix
Pull seat pan forward. Leave a 2–3 finger gap between the back of your knee and the chair edge. If you can't adjust, sit closer to the edge.
3. Screen at Eye Level 👁ïļ
ouch!
❌ Neck Bent
✓ Eyes Level
The Fix
Top of screen = eye level. Use a monitor stand, laptop riser, or even a stack of books. Never look down at a laptop for hours.
4. Stop Reaching! âŒĻïļ
⚡
❌ Reaching
90°
✓ Close In
The Fix
Keyboard close to body. Elbows bent ~90°, close to your sides. Wrists flat — not bent up or down. Move the keyboard, not just the mouse.
5. Hips: 90° or 110°? 📐
90° OK 110° BETTER!
The Scoop
110° is actually better for your lower back. Slight recline = less disc pressure. Both are fine — straight-up 90° is minimum, not ideal.
6. Knees & Hips Level ⚖ïļ
level = same!
The Fix
Knees and hips should be at the same height — or hips slightly higher. Raise the chair if knees sit too high. Use a footrest if feet don't reach the floor after adjusting.
7. Lumbar Support ðŸĶī
⚡
❌ Slouching
S curve
✓ Supported
The Fix
Adjust lumbar support to fill the hollow of your lower back. If your chair has none, roll up a towel or grab a $15 lumbar cushion. Your spine has a natural S-curve — keep it!
8. Arm's Length Screen 📏
arm's length eye level ✓
The Fix
Sit back. Extend one arm. Fingertips should almost touch the screen. Too close strains eyes. Too far strains neck. Both Jeff and Neel passed this one! ✓✓

🏆 Your 8-Point Checklist

Chair height
Seat depth
Screen level
No reaching
Hip angle
Knees level
Lumbar support
Arm's length

Fix these 8 things → less back pain, less neck pain, more focus. Your body will thank you — especially if you're working remotely all day.

Ergonomic Challenge ✓ — based on real workstation audit