Sedentary Work Law and Legal Definition
Sedentary work is defined for Social Security Administration disability purposes as "involving lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting and carrying articles like, docket files, ledgers, and small tools". In 20 C.F.R. § 416.910, sedentary work is defined as occasionally lifting no more than ten pounds, and sitting with occasional walking and standing. A sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Although sitting is primarily involved in a sedentary job, walking and standing should be required only occasionally. "Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met." Watson v. Secretary of Health & Human Servs., 1989 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18982 ( E.D. Mich. Nov. 29, 1989) Standing and walking should total no more than 2 hours per 8 hour workday, while sitting would total about 6 hours per 8 hour workday. Most unskilled sedentary jobs demand good manual dexterity for repetitive hand and finger motions.
