View Full Version : Worker Comfort
After this crazy-ish year of first being unemployed, then picking up odd jobs here and there in town, I've been working two days a week as a gallery sitter/salesperson at a very nice high-end gallery in town. I really like my bosses (the owners of the gallery) and they've allowed me to put my jewelry in the gallery and it is selling really well.
The gallery has a very specific aesthetic; very clean, modern, with lots of wood and natural materials. It truly is really a beautiful space to work in.
Here's the problem: the chair I have to sit on behind the little desk is KILLING me! It is a straight-back wooden chair that doesn't even have a contoured seat. I bought a pillow at Savers to try to cushion my poor butt but it doesn't really do much. Lately it is becoming unbearable. I have back problems anyway, plus cervical radiculopathy which is really acting up. I finally asked the owner of the gallery today if she would consider getting an actual padded office chair because having to sit on a wooden chair for 7 hours a day had me almost in tears the other day. I do get up and walk around a lot, but it is a long day in which I pass the time by knitting fingerless gloves.
Anyway, her reaction to my request really dismayed me today. She hates the "look" of office chairs and does not want to change chairs. The only thing she would consider was some sort of ergonomic cushion that I could put on the chair the days that I work. I feel like her quest for a certain aesthetic trumps my body comfort. I just recently added a third day per week (which to be honest, is pretty tortuous, especially when I didn't even have any sales today). I'm questioning the wisdom of working three days a week there. It's too hard on my body just sitting around all day.
I will look around and see if there is something I can buy to put on the chair that would make it more comfortable for me, but I also realized just because I committed to a third day, doesn't mean that I have to actually stick to it. Finally at age 61 I am finally learning to speak up for myself if something isn't working for me. I will give it a couple of weeks, at any rate.
catherine
10-13-22, 8:52pm
Good for you for speaking up for yourself!
I somehow wound up with a chair that my SIL had picked up as a picker. I think he brought it up for his/DD's wedding and it never made it back to his home. I replaced my old metal desk chair, which was horribly uncomfortable, with his chair. I still have it and I still use it. Is there a way you could compromise with your employer and find a cool chair that's also reasonably comfortable?
Here's a link to a similar chair. Mine doesn't have a leather cushion, but it does have a cushion.
https://www.wayfair.com/Bayou-Breeze--Stanton-Prior-Tufted-Side-Chair-X117988526-L168-K~W006877415.html?refid=GX549131388621-W006877415_940776926&device=c&ptid=1438464087599&network=g&targetid=aud-352581795726:pla-1438464087599&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=166360633&fdid=1817&PiID%5B%5D=940776926&gclid=CjwKCAjw7p6aBhBiEiwA83fGuixD6k1TlBYuVgJ-2bxMSa98rx44UFe7HTTgX-ucWiVWJs-_o0XEOxoC9tcQAvD_BwE
Have her spring for this one: https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/seating/office-chairs-desk-chairs/antique-adjustable-swivel-oak-desk-chair-circa-1930-1940/id-f_30666252/
Or this one:
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/seating/office-chairs-desk-chairs/classic-office-chair/id-f_29353742/
Those are a little pricey, but they show good-looking office chairs do exist.
How about this one? https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/three-posts-mayson-executive-chair-w003534413.html?cjevent=947f85654b5d11ed820d001a0a 1c0e0e&refID=CJ314743-CJ5370367&PID=CJ100096674
Your boss seems to lack compassion and imagination.
ToomuchStuff
10-13-22, 10:15pm
High end gallery?
Have her look at something like Sam Maloof style chairs.
Money is a bit tight, so I don't think she'll spring for anything very expensive. I was going to offer to buy a different chair for myself at the Restore in Santa Fe. They always have office chairs there for a good price but she can't stand the look of them...If I'm sitting in it, who is going to see it anyway? It just feels weird that she values "the look" rather than keeping a dedicated employee comfortable. I'm at a place in my life that I can decide whether to stay or not; my husband is starting a new job on Monday that has a six-figure salary, so my paltry retail salary doesn't make or break the bank. I've sure come a long way in the last few years, but I like and need to have my own money coming in.
Seems to me there are plenty of amazing chairs that would fit the style you describe.
frugal-one
10-14-22, 4:44am
Since ithis is a part-time gig, you probably will need to remedy the situation yourself. I highly doubt the employers are going to spring for an expensive chair. Perhaps one of these would be helpful?
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=seat+cushions+for+back+pain&i=office-products&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-JWRlKnf-gIVBhXUAR0fEQGsEAAYASAAEgKaNvD_BwE&hvadid=616864196538&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9018920&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=16451540450475772358&hvtargid=kwd-307745544478&hydadcr=28992_14649110&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_4upnc0a2by_e
sweetana3
10-14-22, 5:11am
If you do leave, please let her know exactly why. I do not expect her to change however.
It is a pet peeve of mine that cashiers, who are overwhelmingly women, have to stand in stores. No chairs or stools for them. Europeans are more progressive.
My take from experience is that it's hard to top being able to sit in a chair at the store to try it out. I actually used to have a chair very similar to one suggested in my home office. I picked it up used at a good price, but never found it comfortable and replaced it.
iris lilies
10-14-22, 9:27am
$170 at Wayfair: 4880
that looks as uncomfortable as fk and plus, Jane! That is not high end.
The .Santa Fe aesthetics are a high bar to meet.
iris lilies
10-14-22, 9:43am
High end gallery?
Have her look at something like Sam Maloof style chairs.
ooooo that armchair is gorgeous. Copies are only $2,000+ on Etsy.
The point is, she does not WANT to change chairs at all, period. I was looking on-line for some better cushions for the seat (which may help), but a cushion for the back of the chair will not work at all. I'll take a photo of the chair the next time I work and post it here so you can see what I mean.
Also, when I say "high-end" gallery, it doesn't mean we make tons of money like a Santa Fe Gallery. We're down in little ol' Madrid. It's a family business that has to support quite a number of people out here, so there is not extra money for expensive chairs. I offered to buy an office chair from Restore because they always have them at reasonable prices and they are usually pretty comfortable, but she declined, as it will somehow "ruin" the look of the gallery (in her eyes).
Edited to add: there are two matching wooden chairs, one on either side of the desk (for the customer to sit on while the art purchase is being rung up).
littlebittybobby
10-14-22, 10:46am
Okay----You kidses' notion of "comfort" is miles and miles away from MY littlebitty ideas of comfort. See? For instance, my #1 E-Z chair is not some $1500 recliner I purchased at furniture world or whatever. No, it is a wooden chair that prolly shoulda been dumpstered instead of offered dfor-sale for $6 at a local flea market. It was very loose and required brackets, braces, and bolts and wood glue to restore stability. That was 10 years ago, now. See photo. Also, my idea of a VERY compfterbal bike seat is one that I've bought several copies of at the local bike shop. They were take-offs of NEW wimmins' bikes(LIV brand by Giant), replaced on day one, simply because they did not meet the standards for comfort of the buyer. But for $15, I am VERY compfterbal with that. Yup. So, comfort is subjective. Pain makes you beautiful. See photo. Hope that helps you some,. Thankk Mee.48814882
iris lilies
10-14-22, 10:47am
In this day of worker shortage, I would think that you have a great deal of leverage. You are reliable, sane, and experienced in gallery sitting. She may need to join Camp Reality in understanding your position.
littlebittybobby
10-14-22, 10:57am
48844884Okay----here's some REAL old-fashioned Comfort. Maybe your employeer should supply you with THIS, so you'll appreciate what you had before. Yup.4883
JaneV2.0
10-14-22, 11:06am
that looks as uncomfortable as fk and plus, Jane! That is not high end.
The .Santa Fe aesthetics are a high bar to meet.
Jeez--what does she want--a throne??
I thought it was neutral and inoffensive--plus it has wooden legs, if wood is so dang important to her.
Honestly, Sioux, I would take in a note from my doctor that you can't work in that chair and need accommodation and then I would buy myself a comfortable office chair and take it in there myself. I would do that because you are selling jewelry there and it is a good deal for you.
Honestly, Sioux, I would take in a note from my doctor that you can't work in that chair and need accommodation and then I would buy myself a comfortable office chair and take it in there myself. I would do that because you are selling jewelry there and it is a good deal for you.
I'd hate for it to have to get to that point; I really do like the owners of the gallery and we get along quite good. However, I realize I do have a bit leverage here because I am a good salesperson, and an honest and thorough employee (especially for around here - it is hard to find honest, reliable and punctual employees in this hippie town) and my jewelry has been a top seller for the last two months, earning them money. I think last month I sold $1700 worth of jewelry, my biggest month yet! It's a 50-50 commission, so it's not small potatoes we're talking here.
I'll do some research in the next few days and see what I can find cushion-wise.
the problem with the cushion is it can't move with you and is going to be hard to keep wedged in where it can help you. You want an ergonomic chair that is crafted to work with your spine.
Man, I’ve heard of employers being unreasonable about stuff, but this takes the cake.
Either take in a letter from your doc or quit. And tell her exactly why you quit.
iris lilies
10-14-22, 1:33pm
SiouxQ I completely support your need for another chair.
But this discussion brings back to me so many managerial issues of my employees, their chairs, their complaints about their chairs, my work toward appeasing these concerns, buying and budget issues ( both largesse and constraints). Thank god I am no longer in the workforce. These “chair” experiences were truly the squeeze of middle management. I do not thank you for reminding me! Haha
Surely your boss could find a suitable chair if she wanted to--the right boss might even consider it a challenge--but it's apparently too much trouble. A doctor's note would be worth a try; I wouldn't cripple myself for a job if I had choice in the matter.
iris lilies
10-14-22, 2:44pm
Surely your boss could find a suitable chair if she wanted to--the right boss might even consider it a challenge--but it's apparently too much trouble. A doctor's note would be worth a try; I wouldn't cripple myself for a job if I had choice in the matter.
Ok you have forced me to tell one of many tales of office chairs.
We were doing major renovations to my department and spending ungodly amounts of money on stupid pod furniture. One of my employees brought a note from her doctor that she needed a chair that did “XYZ.” I gave the note to our interior designer and let her go figure out what chair would meet those specs. Months later all the furniture came in and the special chair arrived.
And here the employee was unhappy because she hadn’t been consulted in what kind of chair she could sit in. Geez, She gave very specific instructions and those instructions were met. What she didn’t understand is that there’s no such thing as us being able to go to the marketplace and bring in chairs that meet requirements XYZ to bring in as test chairs. She really had no idea how many people bent over backwards to meet her stated requirements.
It wasn’t a matter of lack of money, it was a matter of no availability.
Meanwhile, in that deal, we were buying Herman Miller chairs. We were the first ones of anyone I know to have the $1000 Herman Miller chairs back in the mid 1990’s. Your tax dollars at work. They came in different sizes and there was always the problem of buying a chair in size A for employee #1 that didn’t work when that employee left our employment and employee #2 took over.
Did I express how happy I am that I’m no longer working!???
In one of these office renovations I reluctantly gave up my World War II era solid oak desk for a modern monstrosity of fiber board, , but I did it because I knew it would stick out like a sore thumb when I was replaced.
Sounds very unreasonable to me not to allow an employee to be comfortable while they are stuck on their butts making money for you. Makes me realize how fortunate I was working at a multi million dollar endowed university department where money flowed freely and any discomfort was taken care of without question.
rosarugosa
10-15-22, 4:57pm
48844884Okay----here's some REAL old-fashioned Comfort. Maybe your employeer should supply you with THIS, so you'll appreciate what you had before. Yup.4883
Bobby: We kids do not find this helpful. Nooo thankkks.
ToomuchStuff
10-15-22, 10:12pm
Since she doesn't want you to bring in a new chair, bring in a bean bag.
4887
Here is this bad boy! I'm sitting on it right now, grrrrrrr...
PS: I have no idea how to turn the photo so it is upright!
My butt hurts just looking at your picture SiouzQ!
You've inspired me to look for a new chair--I have this in my Amazon cart while I ponder!
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/IMAGERENDERING_521856-T2/images/I/71hVFGnw9FL._AC_AA300_.jpg
That's not a chair--it's an instrument of torture. Show it to your doctor.
rosarugosa
10-17-22, 2:53pm
I actually like to sit in wooden chairs, but that particular wooden chair doesn't look comfortable at all.
You've inspired me to look for a new chair--I have this in my Amazon cart while I ponder!
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/IMAGERENDERING_521856-T2/images/I/71hVFGnw9FL._AC_AA300_.jpg
Very handsome; I'd love it in black.
I found this--old-timey and handsome: https://smile.amazon.com/Office-Star-Deluxe-Bankers-Espresso/dp/B00CFIJZVK/ref=sr_1_182?crid=NSF1IMLWLVAH&keywords=padded+office+chair+with+arms&qid=1666037546&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI2LjA5IiwicXNhIjoiNS41MiIsInFzcCI6IjM uODkifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=padded+office+chair+with+arms%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-182&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0
4888
frugal-one
10-17-22, 5:21pm
4887
Here is this bad boy! I'm sitting on it right now, grrrrrrr...
PS: I have no idea how to turn the photo so it is upright!
What chairs do they sit in? I would get there early and replace their chair with yours. Ask them to try it out for a day.
They sit in the same chairs when they are minding the gallery. They're also 10 to 15 years younger than me. I got through today with my crappy pillow, but I will check out options online. It seems you can't buy any of these ergonomic chair pads in an actual store. I tried Office Depot and Bed, Bath & Beyond over the weekend but they had nothing.
They sit in the same chairs when they are minding the gallery. They're also 10 to 15 years younger than me. I got through today with my crappy pillow, but I do not to check out options online. It seems you can't buy any of these ergonomic chair pads in an actual store. I tried Office Depot and Bed, Bath & Beyond over the weekend but they had nothing.
Do you have a Relax the Back store nearby? They specialize in that kind of thing.
littlebittybobby
10-19-22, 5:59pm
Okay---Ijust know you kids will disagree with littlebittymee, not because I'm ever wrong, but simply because it is your nature to be contrary. But yeah---an employer doesn't want you to be comfortable on your job, just as they don't want you to be happy. See? Their main efforts are directed at not only making waaay more $$$ than the employees, but making sure they hate their job. See? Because you kids relate everything to mooo--veees and Tee-vee and novels---well, I'll give you an example: Ever see that movie "Office Space?" Well, there you have it. That's Greeeeeat. Hope that helps you some.
Okay---Ijust know you kids will disagree with littlebittymee, not because I'm ever wrong, but simply because it is your nature to be contrary. But yeah---an employer doesn't want you to be comfortable on your job, just as they don't want you to be happy. See? Their main efforts are directed at not only making waaay more $$$ than the employees, but making sure they hate their job. See? Because you kids relate everything to mooo--veees and Tee-vee and novels---well, I'll give you an example: Ever see that movie "Office Space?" Well, there you have it. That's Greeeeeat. Hope that helps you some.
In my experience, you're onto something.
frugal-one
10-19-22, 8:33pm
I think it is a matter of looks of the establishment and not wanting to spend money. As you have figured out, you are on your own to provide your own comfort.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.