3 SIMPLE WAYS TO GET YOUR VARI® DESK PAID FOR

Millions of workers have made the healthy choice to trade in their tired sit-down desks for dynamic standing versions. And it's easy to see why.

The research condemning the dangers of prolonged sitting continues to pile up. The Mayo Clinic analyzed 13 studies on sitting time. It found that people who sit for at least eight hours a day without physical activity have a similar risk of dying as those posed by obesity and smoking. Simply standing can help boost metabolism, relieve stress, and improve happiness - which leads to better performance and productivity at work.

Make sure you pick the standing desk that's right for you. Check out this guide to sit-stand products to see which option fits your needs.

More and more companies are investing in employee wellness, and providing sit-stand desks is a popular way to support the long-term health of the workforce.

Ready to join the ranks? Here are some tips to get your own standing desk at no out-of-pocket cost for you. No asterisks. No fine print. No misprint: There are several ways to secure an adjustable-height desk without opening your wallet. No joke.

1. Start at the Top

The path to a free standing desk? Start with your manager. If they need convincing, spell out the laundry list of health and productivity benefits. You can find resources to support your business case on our Office Wellness References page.

Your company may already have a policy in place for purchasing such items. Your facility manager - whose focus is typically on the cost and quality of potential solutions - should know the details.

Here are a few facts to help request a new standing desk or converter:

• Vari desktop converters require no installation time from the employees or the facilities team, and there's no need to replace or modify existing furniture. Converters arrive fully assembled and sit on top of your existing desk.
• Many Vari solutions can be purchased for less than $1 a day over the course of a year.
• All Vari desks and converters come with a 30-day, no-risk guarantee. If there are any issues, you can return the product for free, no questions asked.
• Desks and converters are easy to order through vari.com (It's recommended that you have your product selected when you request permission to buy.)
• Bulk discounts are available when ordering for multiple employees.
• A five-year warranty is included with most desktop products.

Most important, standing desks help create an active work culture, which can lower healthcare costs, decrease absenteeism, and reduce staff turnover.

What manager doesn't want that?

2. Check With Other Departments

Direct support is not your only option. You can also ask your human resources department or wellness team. Many companies have funds set aside for wellness programs and these kinds of perks.

Persuade your HR director with research that outlines the benefits of standing: collaborative, engaged, focused, and healthy employees. It's great for business, after all.

Consider this: Companies with 15 or more employees are required by law to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. If a doctor determines that pain or discomfort could be alleviated with a sit-stand desk, enlist your HR department to review your options and uncover the best course of action.

3. Use Your HSA or FSA Funds

While a doctor's note is necessary to use your HSA or FSA funds, it can also speed things up with your boss or HR team.

TIP: Consider a virtual care option, such as Teladoc. On average, a virtual visit costs $79, compared with $146 for an in-person appointment.

TIP: Think outside the box! Chiropractors, physical therapists, registered nurses, and medical doctors can all "prescribe" your standing desk.

It's true: You can get a prescription for standing.

Prolonged sitting is a major contributor to back and neck pain, and chronic headaches and migraines are often caused by the posture that sitting creates.

Explore using your health savings account or flexible spending account to cover the cost of a sit-stand desk. Here's a simple guide that outlines exactly how to use your HSA or FSA funds for such an endeavor.

If you have a prescription or letter of medical necessity, many HSA/FSA administrators will reimburse you.

The message? Don't let a dollar figure distract you from the good sense of investing in your health and well-being. Your career, and your overall quality of life, will greatly benefit from an adjustable-height desk for years to come.

It's time to stand up.