The sedentary lifestyles that the typical work life creates are producing drastic consequences in the health and lifespan of today’s generation. The Federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2004 that poor diet and lack of physical activity were responsible for 400,000 preventable deaths each year. Health concerns are not the only negative side effects from the disease of inactivity; unhealthy employees experience low morale, high turnover, lower productivity, and greater absenteeism. The Employees in Motion section of the toolbox is designed to help employers implement programs that promote wellness through physical activity.
Following are capsule descriptions of the various programs presented in the Employees in Motion section of the toolbox.
Fitness at Work Programs
Finding ways for employees to be active while in the workplace setting is a key way to encourage physical activity. Additionally, This can be one of the easiest and least expensive ways to encourage wellness among employees - walking trails in and around the building, encouraging the use of stairs rather than elevators, and step challenges are efficient ways to promote physical activity. On site or reduced rates for fitness facilities is a best practice.
Walk to Work Programs
Active communting provides a convenient wy for employees to get exercise i nthe context of commuting. The programs range from very elaborate initiatives at a large organization to the very basic step that most businesses can take: providing lockers, showers, and bike racks for employees to be able to walk or bike then change for the work day. This is one small step that can mak ea big difference.
Intracompany Competitions
Team Comptetitions can provide accountability and support for enduring fitness programs and seeking to meet key wellenss goals. Further, having competitions in the workplace can build better colleague relationships, promote team bonding, and provide an overall sense of company pride.
Financial Incentives
One way to encourage wellness among employees is to align employees’ and employers’ financial incentives by offering prizes and other financial benefits to employees that acheive certain fitness goals. Even with the cost of these financial prizes, there is overwhelming evidence that signifigant return on investment can be achieved through wellness programs.
Evaluating Workplace Programs
Evaluation is the collection of data before a program begins and again once it is underway and/or finished to identify and qualify its effectiveness. All programs and initiatives designed to affect change benefit from review. Conductiong evaluations is essential to creating effective wellness programs in your community. It is ideal to evaluate both short and long-term goals.
Appendices
This section of the toolbox provides two useful appendices - additional initiatives (Supplemental Programs) that can help a community achieve its goals and a list of additional resources that can guide the creation of workplace-based programs.
