People in desk jobs gain weight

New York, May 27 (IANS): If you have gained extra waistline, do not get enough sunlight for your bones and strain your eyes in front of a computer screen, you have all reasons to complain about your desk job.

Over 50 percent of employees who are deskbound said in a latest survey that they do not get enough physical activity.

Also, staring at a computer screen for most of the day and being stuck inside are the biggest disadvantages of having a desk job.

Nearly half of employees surveyed gained weight in their current position compared to 30 percent of workers in non-desk jobs.

“Overall, 58 percent of workers in desk jobs categorise themselves as overweight compared to 51 percent of their peers in non-desk jobs,” said the survey from a leading job portal CareerBuilder.

The study was based on a survey of 2,095 employees who typically work behind a desk and 1,102 people who do not work behind a desk.

Additionally, 24 percent said they do not like working at a desk because there is not enough variety in their work.

While 23 percent said there are too many distractions like disruptions from co-workers.

There are some positive sides too.

Employees who work in desk jobs reported earning higher salaries.

Desk employees also have access to technology and opportunity to communicate with bosses easily, the survey added.

For someone in non-desk job, not being informed about new company developments, having less chance for upward mobility and fewer face-to-face interactions with company leaders and peers are the disadvantages.