Active workplaces, where employees are encouraged to incorporate physical activity into their workday, offer a range of benefits, including improved employee health and well-being, increased productivity, reduced stress levels, better morale, and potentially higher staff retention rates due to a more positive work environment. They essentially create a happier and more engaged workforce.
Through self-care practices and by highlighting the importance of work-life balance, we can ensure that staff have the tools and knowledge to prioritize their physical and mental well-being.
Getting started
Active workplace initiatives work best when people are on board from the start. Begin with a chat about wellbeing and take it from there.
Starting with a quiz like Five Ways to Wellbeing or the Sitting Calculator can spark useful conversations. Invite colleagues to do the quiz before coming together to talk about wellbeing. This can prompt observations, reflections and motivation to help shape plans.
Simple Suggestions to get employees active
Offering employees physical activity opportunities or adopting good well-being practices, such as 50-minute meetings, coupled with 10-minute walks and stretches, will in turn increase productivity, re-energise staff and encourage employee retention.
Working remotely and encouraging your team to exercise
Adding a physical activity goal to annual reviews can encourage regular chats about movement and self-care between managers and employees.
Taking turns to lead weekly ‘Takeover activities’ after meetings can help people move as a team and allow people to experiment with different activities and try new things whilst also empowering people to develop and implement new skills and knowledge.
Being encouraged to work flexibly makes it easier to exercise and improve productivity. Lunchtime classes and daylight runs or walks can spread out the day in a positive way.
Bringing in a specialist
Finding an online provider who can run sessions for your team can be beneficial especially if you have a large group of people. Using mobile apps and specialised organisations can also be useful. Local Active Partnerships generally offer free exercise sessions often on YouTube channels that you could utilise.
Including those with Disabilities and Long-term Health Conditions
If you have employees with long-term health conditions and disabilities they must be included and feel that they can take part fully in whatever you are offering. There are some specialised providers out there who can help. Look at We Are Undefeatables, Wheelpower, Mobilates and Active Essex for some examples of inclusive practices. You could argue that they have the most to gain from being active so ensure that what you offer is inclusive.
Recruit workplace champions
Like any project or significant change, creating an active workplace takes energy and leadership.
But anyone can take the lead. Active workplace champions encourage and support colleagues to move more.
They can arrange activities or make small changes to your work environment. Invite people from across your organisation to volunteer. A mix of those who love being active and those who struggle with physical activity often works well.
This supports those who are experiencing barriers to participation by linking them with others who have already overcome those first hurdles and taken the steps to get moving
Summary
By implementing these small changes, workplaces will see the benefits long-term for both their employees and their businesses.
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