7 Key Features to Look For in an Anti-Fatigue Mat for the Office

Standing desks and standing workstations are transforming modern Australian workplaces — from agile government hubs to innovative corporate offices and hybrid education spaces.

But standing for long periods on hard flooring can quickly lead to:

• Lower back pain
• Leg and foot fatigue
• Musculoskeletal discomfort
• Loss of concentration and productivity

That’s why a standing workstation mat — also called an anti-fatigue mat — is no longer a luxury; it’s an essential ergonomic tool.

However — not all standing mats are created equal. Cheap foam mats, slippery rugs, or poorly designed products can actually cause more harm than good.

In this guide, I’ll show you the 7 key features to look for in a high-quality standing workstation mat — so you can equip your office, education or government workspace for maximum comfort, safety and performance. A quality mat coupled with a Sit Stand desk is the perfect combination for all round health benefits. 

Why a Standing Workstation Mat is Essential

The Science

When you stand on a hard surface:

• Circulation slows → blood pools in the legs
• Muscles contract statically → causing fatigue and discomfort
• Heel and foot pressure increases → leading to soreness

Over time, this contributes to:

• Lower back pain
• Leg fatigue
• MSD risk

A standing workstation mat helps by:

• ✅ Encouraging subtle movements and dynamic standing
• ✅ Stimulating circulation
• ✅ Reducing muscle fatigue
• ✅ Improving comfort and endurance

As Safe Work Australia and WorkSafe Victoria advise, anti-fatigue mats are an effective engineering control to reduce standing fatigue in the workplace.

The Top 7 Features to Look For

1️⃣ Correct Thickness & Firmness

Why it matters:

• Too soft → causes instability and leg fatigue.
• Too hard → provides no fatigue reduction.

Ideal range: ~15–20mm thickness, with a firm but responsive feel.

The mat should compress slightly under load, but spring back quickly when weight is shifted.

2️⃣ Beveled, Trip-Resistant Edges

Why it matters:

• Prevents trip hazards — especially in high-traffic areas or where staff transition between standing and sitting.

Look for gradual beveled edges that allow safe movement on and off the mat.

Avoid: Mats with sharp edge transitions or curled edges — these can violate WHS safety requirements.

3️⃣ Non-Slip Backing

Why it matters:

• Prevents slipping or sliding on tile, vinyl, polished concrete or carpeted floors.

The mat must stay firmly in place under both static standing and dynamic shifts.

For government counters and education desks, this is a critical feature to maintain public area safety.

4️⃣ Durable Construction

Why it matters:

• Office standing workstation mats must withstand daily wear — including foot traffic, rolling chairs, and minor spills.

Look for mats made from:

• High-density polyurethane
• Closed-cell foam with durable top layers
• Gel-based cores for premium comfort

Avoid: Cheap open-cell foam mats — they degrade quickly and lose effectiveness.

5️⃣ Surface Texture Optimised for Dynamic Standing

Why it matters:

• The mat should allow subtle foot movement and weight shifting.
• Surface should not be too slick (slip hazard) or too grippy (restricts movement).

The goal is to promote natural micro-movements that prevent static fatigue.

6️⃣ Size Suited to Standing Workstation Configuration

Why it matters:

• The mat should provide full coverage for the user’s natural standing footprint — typically 60–90cm wide for individual standing desks.

Too small → forces restricted postures.
Too large → impedes transitions to seated work.

Pro tip: For shared hot desks or adjustable workstations, opt for a portable mat that staff can reposition easily.

7️⃣ Easy to Clean and Maintain

Why it matters:

• Spills and dirt are inevitable in office and education settings.

Choose mats with:

• Sealed, wipe-clean surfaces
• Antimicrobial options for healthcare, education and public service areas

Avoid: Textured fabric-top mats — these can trap dirt and are harder to clean.

Bonus Features to Consider

If your workplace has specialised needs, look for mats offering:

• Fire-rated materials → required in many government and education contracts
• Antistatic properties → ideal for tech workstations
• Antimicrobial surfaces → critical for healthcare, laboratories, and some education settings
• Eco-friendly / sustainable materials → increasingly popular in public sector procurement

Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Choosing the Cheapest Option

Cheap foam mats collapse rapidly and lose effectiveness.

❌ Using Home-Grade Mats in Commercial Workspaces

Household kitchen mats or yoga mats are not designed for the wear and WHS requirements of office and education environments.

❌ Selecting Overly Soft Mats

“Cushy” mats feel nice at first but cause instability and fatigue.

❌ Ignoring Slip Ratings

For public-facing counters, government hubs, and education facilities, non-slip properties are critical for WHS compliance.

Where to Use a Standing Workstation Mat

Corporate Offices

• Sit-stand desks
• Reception desks
• Collaborative standing work zones

Government

• Council service counters
• State department reception areas
• Library circulation desks

Education

• School administration desks
• Library info desks
• University labs and teaching stations

Home Offices

• Sit-stand desks in remote work setups

Human Observation

Before consulting on hybrid office fitouts, I underestimated how much mat selection mattered.

I’ve since seen countless teams frustrated by:

• Mats too small for comfortable standing
• Edges that curled and created trip risks
• Overly soft mats that led to fatigue

When we switched to well-designed standing workstation mats, feedback improved immediately:

• Staff stood longer, more comfortably
• Fewer fatigue complaints
• Higher uptake of sit-stand desks → improved ROI on ergonomic investment

FAQ

What thickness is best for a standing workstation mat?

15–20mm is ideal — firm with slight responsiveness. Too soft or too thin reduces effectiveness.

Can I use a standing workstation mat on carpet?

Yes — but choose mats with non-slip backing optimised for carpeted surfaces.

How often should I replace a standing mat?

Inspect annually. Replace if edges curl or surface compression occurs — typically 3–5 years lifespan for high-quality mats.

Do standing mats replace the need for good footwear?

No — best results come from combining supportive footwear with a standing mat.

Are there standing mats suitable for high-traffic public counters?

Yes — choose mats with:

• Beveled edges
• Non-slip backing
• Durable, sealed surfaces
• Fire-rated materials (if required)

Conclusion

The right standing workstation mat can transform the experience of standing desk work — improving comfort, reducing injury risk, and enhancing productivity.

To recap — look for mats with:

• ✅ Correct thickness and firmness
• ✅ Beveled, trip-resistant edges
• ✅ Non-slip backing
• ✅ Durable construction
• ✅ Surface texture optimised for dynamic standing
• ✅ Size suited to workstation use
• ✅ Easy-clean, WHS-compliant surfaces

For government, education and corporate workplaces, providing high-quality standing workstation mats is a small investment that delivers big returns — in staff wellbeing, safety and engagement.

Explore our range of Anti-Fatigue Mats & Standing Desk Mats

References

• Safe Work Australia
• WorkSafe Victoria
• UK HSE Ergonomics Guidance
• ANSI/BIFMA G1
• ISO 9241-5