Posted By Alexander Falconer Unusual request! Have you any idea what they look like and their purpose? Those like me who experienced the fun as kids with bright orange spacehoppers in the early 70's will understand what I am talking about From recent experience when my missus was expecting our first (around 3 years ago), she had the foresight to buy one from argos, I honestly thought she was going to enter the floor section at the local gymnastics competition. Given my own attempts to try and balance myself on one, these things cause more trouble than they are worth (2 stitches in a scalp wound after losing balance and banging head off the coffee table) In an office environment, now thats another issue, do the risk assessment and make your own calculated judgements - in fact try one out and come to the same assumptions as myself. Keep them in their proper places, Yoga, Gymnastics, Physiotherapy & ante natal classes, where they are safe under proper supervision, and not in the office. Friday rant over! Now away to have a wee dram of 12yr old Glenfiddich special reserve! Have a good weekend all!

Posted By Karel Simpson Hi, In my previous job I dealt a lot with DSE and actually carried out a little bit of research into swiss balls, they are basically like the gym balls you see in your local argos etc They are supposed to help keep the back in it's natural shape when you sit on them and offer great weight distribution. Are they a good idea? I would leave that for the user to decide but they are not stable on the ground so they could easily move when trying to position on one for example. Hope this helps a little# KS

Posted By Jennifer Kelly I work in a female dominated environment and we always have a percentage of women pregnant at one time or other. As most of the staff work at computers seating arrangements for pregnant staff are discussed as part of the pregnancy risk assessment and whilst having never been pregnant myself one thing I have learnt is that it can get very uncomfortable at times! My approach, following discussions with women who have been there and done it, is to make these staff more comfortable by having a variety of seating options that they can swap around when needed. So far in my collection I have sissel sit fits, swiss balls, knee chairs, rigid dinner table type seats and armchairs in the reading room for work that can be done away from the PC. Just being able to adjust their seating, even if only for a few hours, can bring quite a bit of relief when 'bump' has decided to position itself on the sciatic nerve and swiss balls are an especially popular choice. When deflated they take up very little room and and the end of the day can be tucked underneath the desk like any chair. They come in different sizes to suit height and many women who have recently given birth find them very comfortable during the postpartum period. anyway hope that helps, Jennifer

Posted By Ken Taylor Stay with the cushions. If they fall off the ball there could be trouble for them and you.