Price : This seems to be the single most important factor that influences the decision of the facility managers. Given a budget, the purchase committee invites competitive quotations and then starts negotiating with one or two shortlisted manufacturers. Yes, price is important, but it must be evaluated with the hidden cost that is found in sick leave, low morale, low productivity and compensation allowance reimbursed to the workforce. The world over, research has time and again proved that organisations lose millions of rupees as a result of placing unergonomic chairs in their office. What can never be pardoned is the damage that occurs to an individual’s life due to permanent back pain.

For what specific task has the chair been designed ?

Every chair must be designed to suit a specific task that will be carried out in an office. Hence it is important to have an understanding of the autonomy and interaction levels and the various jobs that one would undertake like computer usage time, number of hours seated, movement in the work area while seated and job nature in terms of physical and mental activity. Only after this understanding can a manufacturer claim that the chair is designed to perform a specific task.

Aesthetics : Waiting to hear the praises, the organisation head wants his office to look the best. But what is comforting to the eye may not necessarily comfort the back. It is alright is you have an aesthetic taste and design the ambience accordingly. Chairs should first be selected for their ergonomic design. But, to make modern office look different and unique, the company head may order a range of designer furniture that pleases the eye and not the back. Surely aesthetics are important, but we must give them the right priority.

Whether certified by doctors as ergonomically correct.

It is your doctor who understands the anatomy of your spine best. All doctors agree that a majority of back problems are related to improper postures and unergonomic chairs that do not support your back while you perform various tasks at work. Hence a certification from the doctors only substantiates the manufacturer’s claim that the chairs are ergonomically correct in terms of design, giving excellent back support and providing total support to the spine.

Soft Cushions for a 'comfy' feeling: This is an attribute that most buyers/users should be most careful about. The comfy, sinking feeling that an individual experiences because of the soft foam the chair has is only momentary or temporary. Low density foam is soft and hence does not cradle your spine. In fact it allows your tail bone to sink, thereby distorting the natural `S’ curve of your spine leading to severe pain. This fact will only be brought to light when we spend long hours on end in the chair. So beware of chairs that give you that momentary comfortable sinking feeling.

Whether world-class testing standards have been adhered to, thus lasting longer to give you value for money.

A 57 kg load being dropped on the seat 100,000 times from a height of 51mm.	The backrest being pulled back and forth with a force of 34 kgf. 120,000 times @ 40 cycles a min. with a 45 kg load on the seat.
The Castors being made to travel 152 km. with a load of 136kgs. without wear & tear.	The armrests being tested to withstand a sheer force of 10 kgf. 100,000 times.