Table 2 Focus group topic guide

General perceptions about workplace sitting including its benefits and possible detrimental effects

a) What is your experience of/thoughts on workplace sitting?

b) What is known, if anything, about the association between sitting and health?

c) Do you suffer from any health effects of prolonged sitting?

Current barriers to reducing sitting time in the workplace

a) Are there any physical barriers e.g. disabilities/health problems/pregnancy?

b) Are there issues regarding lack of understanding the importance of prolonged sitting on health?

c) What are the norms in your office? Is it the norm to work standing or to sit less at work? What would your colleagues think?

d) What is the management like? How may the organisation hinder you from sitting less?

e) What is the environment that you work in like? Any barriers linked to this?

f) Do you feel a need to remain seated? Is it something that concerns you?

Current enablers to reducing sitting time in the workplace

a) Are there any physical enablers that may encourage you to sit less e.g. musculoskeletal problems associated with prolonged sitting?

b) Do you think having a good understanding of the importance of prolonged sitting in terms of health helps to reduce sitting time at work?

c) What are the norms in your office? Do these help you to reduce your workplace sitting time e.g. supportive colleagues, others trying to reduce sitting?

d) What is management support like? How does the organisation support you?

e) What is the environment that you work in like? Are there any existing enablers linked to this e.g. centralised printers, green space?

f) Do you feel a sense of motivation to sit less? Is it something that helps you?