Does your workplace foster physical exercise?
How does physical exercise fit into a full-time employee’s hectic schedule? Often times, it doesn’t.
One possible solution to this challenge is to make physical activity a part of the work day. Clearly, being active at work is advantageous for staff members. But employers also benefit 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 spend actually on the job, there is the time needed 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 difficult.
Many jobs today are sedentary, and many American citizens 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.
Employee 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.
Begin by talking to your boss about the advantages of a healthy active workplace. The best way to guarantee the success of a corporation 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 significance of health and healthy living that encourages employee to take an active break each day.
• Provide for flexible work hours that assist employee to be more physically active. By way of example, they might need to take a longer lunch break to attend physical activity class, making up the time by coming to work early or staying late.
• Provide a meeting room or other suitable office space for noon-hour yoga or exercise classes, and hire a teacher to lead them, or use videos.
If your boss agrees to support a workplace exercise program, do not forget to say thanks.
You don’t need an on-Site fitness center
Only very large organizations 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 fitness center, 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.
• Hold walking gatherings and set up lunch-hour walking groups
• Make employees aware of safe and pleasant walking routes near the workplace, as well as nearby locations that offer physical activity programs (such as walking, swimming, running, yoga, stretching).
• Find a certified instructor to teach employee about health, fitness and how to become more active.
Any size and sort of workplace can support employees who wish to be physically active. It’s highly desirable to get upper management on side. Even if your boss isn’t supportive, you have the potential to still learn ways to get moving more. Set up activities for groups and individuals, and advocate your co-employees to join in.
