Health Handouts : Workplace Health Promotion Programs: Does your workplace foster physical exercise?

How does physical exercise fit into a full-time employee’s busy schedule? Often 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 beneficial for staff members. But employers also benefit from having fit, energetic and healthy staff members who are more beneficial.

The challenges

Your job takes up a lot of your time. In addition to the hours you invest actually working, there is the time required 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 tough.

Many jobs today are sedentary, and many 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.

Company Health Promotion Programs: Get started on a workplace exercise program

Upper Management plays a key role in creating a culture that promotes health. The leaders at your workplace influence 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 benefits 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 higher-ups 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. For example, they might need to take a longer lunch break to catch physical activity class, making up the time by arriving at work early or staying late.
• Make available 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, don’t forget to show appreciation.

You do not need an on-Site gym

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

For example:

• Arrange for discounted fees for workers 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.)
• Provide 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 locations that offer exercise program (such as walking, swimming, running, yoga, stretching).
• Hire a certified instructor to teach employee about health, fitness and how to become more active.

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