Health and Wellness Leads : Employee Health Promotion Programs: Does your workplace support physical activity?

How does physical exercise fit into a full-time employee’s busy schedule? Many times, it doesn’t.

One possible solution to this challenge is to make physical exercise a part of the work day. Clearly, being active at work is advantageous for staff members. But employers also profit from having fit, energetic and healthy staff members who are more advantageous.

The challenges

Your job takes up much your time. In addition to the hours you invest actually working, there is the time necessitated to get to and from work and take lunch and rest breaks during the work day. In the end, there are a limited number of hours left over for the rest of your life. This work life imbalance is especially true for Alberta, where statistics show that we work exceptionally hard.

Many jobs today are sedentary, and countless Americans drive to work. The pressures of work may also cause us to eat lunch at our desks and skip breaks. Then, after work or on the weekends we juggle household chores, family responsibilities and social engagements.

Worksite Wellness Programs: Get started on a workplace physical activity program

Senior Leadership plays a key role in creating a culture that promotes health. The leaders at your workplace effect the various policies and the informal or formal practices, and these policies and practices affect your attitude towards healthy active living.

Start by talking to your boss about the benefits of a healthy active workplace. The best way to guarantee the success of a company exercise program is to have the management on side and cheering you on.

Ask your management to consider taking these actions:

• Send a memo or message about the effect of health and healthy living that encourages employee to take an active break each day.
• Provide for flexible work hours that help employee to be more physically active. For example, they might need to take a longer lunch break to catch physical activity class, making up the time by coming to work early or remaining late.
• Provide a meeting room or other suitable office space for noon-hour yoga or workout classes, and hire a teacher to lead them, or use videos.

If your boss agrees to support a workplace exercise program, don’t forget to say thanks.

You do not need an onsite health club

Only very large corporations are able to afford onsite fitness facilities such as exercise equipment or squash courts. Still, most employers are able to take other affordable steps to support workers who wish to become more active.

For example:

• Arrange for discounted fees for employees at a gym, recreation center or YMCA facility.
• Install showers and a place to hang a towel. (Make sure the showers are cleaned regularly and that women who use them will feel secure.)
• Install bike racks or a locked enclosure that is safe, conveniently located and well-lit.
• Have walking gatherings and set up lunch-hour walking groups
• Make staff members knowledgeable about safe and pleasant walking routes near the workplace, as well as nearby facilities that offer fitness programs (such as walking, swimming, running, yoga, stretching).
• Find a certified instructor to instruct employee about health, fitness and how to become more active.

Any size and type of workplace has the potential to support staff members who wish to be physically active. It’s highly desirable to get senior staff on side. Even if your boss isn’t supportive, you are able to still find ways to get moving more. Set up activities for groups and individuals, and advocate your co-staff members to join in.