Health Wellness ProgramHealth and Wellness Programs and Wellness Program Consulting

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 activity a part of the work day. Clearly, being active at work is beneficial for employees. But employers also advance from having fit, energetic and healthy employees who are more beneficial.

The challenges

Your job takes up a lot of your time. In addition to the hours you invest 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 hard.

Many jobs today are sedentary, and a myriad of 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 Health Promotion Programs: Get started on a workplace exercise program

Senior Management plays a key role in creating a culture that promotes health. The leaders at your workplace impact 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 advantages of a healthy active workplace. The best way to ensure the success of a company physical activity program is to have the management on side and cheering you on.

Ask your boss 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 help employee to be more physically active. By way of example, they might need to take a longer lunch break to go to exercise 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 workout classes, and hire a teacher to lead them, or use videos.

If your boss agrees to support a workplace physical activity program, do not forget to extend gratitude.

You do not need an onsite fitness center

Only very large corporations can afford on-Site fitness facilities such as exercise equipment or squash courts. Still, most employers can take other affordable steps to support employees who wish to become more active.

By way of example:

• Arrange for discounted fees for workers 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.)
• Provide bike racks or a locked enclosure that is safe, conveniently located and well-lit.
• Hold walking meetings and set up lunch-hour walking groups
• Make workers cognizant of safe and pleasant walking routes near the workplace, as well as nearby facilities that offer physical activity 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 can support employees 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 find ways to get moving more. Set up activities for groups and individuals, and promote your co-employees to join in.