More than 511,000 workers in the UK experienced work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) during 2024/25, with office employees, healthcare professionals and teachers among those facing significant risks.
An analysis of Health and Safety Executive (HSE) data by office furniture specialist Furniture At Work found that the figures equate to approximately 1,470 cases for every 100,000 workers.
Musculoskeletal disorders can affect different parts of the body, including the back, neck, shoulders and upper limbs. Repetitive movements, prolonged sitting or standing, bending and lifting can contribute to these conditions, particularly when workers lack suitable equipment and furniture.
Musculoskeletal Conditions Account for Millions of Lost Working Days
The impact of work-related illness extends beyond the workers affected. Office for National Statistics figures show that 148.8 million working days were lost because of sickness or injury in 2025.
Musculoskeletal conditions accounted for 14.6% of those absences, making them the second most common cause of time away from work.
The findings highlight the extent to which physical discomfort and injuries affect workplaces across different industries.
Office and Remote Workers Face Neck and Shoulder Strain
Office employees and people working remotely face particular risks involving the neck and upper limbs.
Upper limb and neck disorders accounted for 41% of all work-related musculoskeletal cases, affecting an estimated 211,000 workers. This represented an increase from 37% of cases in the previous year.
Poor workstation arrangements can contribute to the problem. Working on laptops at kitchen tables, using unsuitable desks and positioning computer screens incorrectly can force employees to maintain uncomfortable postures for extended periods.
The analysis identifies suitable desks, chairs and computer accessories as measures that can help workers maintain more supportive positions throughout the working day.
Healthcare Workers Affected by Patient Handling and Long Shifts
Healthcare and social care employees also face considerable physical demands in their daily work.
Approximately 68,000 work-related musculoskeletal cases were reported in the health and social care sector, accounting for 22% of all work-related ill health.
Manual patient handling, prolonged standing and long shifts are among the factors associated with these conditions.
Furniture At Work recommends that healthcare employers consider equipment such as anti-fatigue mats, height-adjustable stools and supportive seating in nurses’ stations and staff rooms.
Teachers Experience Persistent Pain but Often Do Not Report It
Teachers face their own set of workplace ergonomic challenges, with research indicating that back, shoulder and neck pain are widespread among education staff.
An HSE-commissioned survey found that three-quarters of primary school teachers experienced ongoing pain in these areas. However, around one in four did not report their symptoms to their employer.
Research highlighted by OSHwiki also found that 82% of early years staff experienced work-related musculoskeletal disorders at least once a week, while only 8% had formally reported their symptoms.
The findings indicate that workplace pain may remain unreported even when it affects employees regularly.
Employers Urged to Provide Equipment Suited to Different Roles
Furniture At Work says employers should tailor their approach to reducing musculoskeletal risks rather than relying on a single solution for every workplace.
For office-based and remote employees, its recommendations include ergonomic chairs with adjustable lumbar support, height-adjustable desks, monitor arms, and ergonomic keyboards and mice.
Healthcare workplaces could benefit from anti-fatigue matting, adjustable stools and supportive seating in staff areas.
For teachers, recommended measures include height-adjustable or standing desks, ergonomic chairs for marking and lesson preparation, and anti-fatigue mats.
The company says furniture and equipment should reflect the physical demands of each role, helping workers maintain more suitable working positions.
Workplace Ergonomics Remains a Challenge Across Multiple Industries
The figures show that work-related musculoskeletal disorders affect employees across a range of professions, from people working at computer screens to healthcare staff handling patients and teachers preparing lessons.
With more than half a million workers affected in 2024/25, the analysis highlights the importance of considering workplace furniture, equipment and working practices when addressing ergonomic risks.
