Ergonomics simply cannot be ignored anymore. There have been cases of back aches and pains especially since people spend long hours at their desks at work (take a surveillance center, for example) and in extreme cases, this has led to people not being able to work any longer.
The reality of working for long hours at a desk is normally blamed for this, but the truth is that inferior furniture design that does not take ergonomics into consideration often is the cause for such mishaps.
At other times, the person who sits with an incorrect posture is to be blamed but the fact of the matter is that whether the furniture that you use is conference room furniture or basic workstation chairs, the ergonomic design (by the company) should ensure that the person assumes a posture that will not affect him in the long run.
However, there are several companies that do keep these needs in mind when it comes to designing and building furniture required for offices, and one can find some of these companies over the internet regardless of whether what you need might be a simple computer workstation desk to furniture for the boardroom.
One way or another, with the focus on a better seating posture in furniture production, accidents and ailments (with a bit of exercise!) can go a long way in alleviating pains that can be debilitating at the least.