Why you should exercise at work

Wellness at work is no longer just a talking point. It’s imperative to the health of both employees and the bottom line.

For businesses, a culture that focusses on wellness training that works, and ergonomics to reduce pain, the pay-off is increased productivity and decreased staff costs.

In 2018, absenteeism cost Australian employers $2.6 billion while presenteeism – employees who attended work but functioned under par – cost $9.9 billion, according to an estimate by KPMG and Mental Health Australia.

A recent study, carried out by Vitality and Rand Europe, estimated that the world’s GDP would increase by more than $100bn each year until 2050 if people:

• walked 15 minutes more a day;
• did a slow jog of half a mile (one kilometre) a day, or;
• took 1,500 extra steps a day.

Here’s some simple ways to get employees more mobile.

1. If you’re having a one-on-one meeting, do it walking, not sitting. Yes, simply walking gets those creative juices flowing. In fact, one study shows that this increases creativity by more than 80 per cent.
2. Make sure staff have regular stretching breaks. Some companies actually use a timer, or buzzer, to remind employees to stand up every hour, walk around and reduce muscle tension.
3. Offer an exercise class on-site that will suit most employees e.g. a yoga or stretch class, or a simple strength-building class. Failing that, negotiate a special deal for employees at a nearby gym. Low-intensity aerobic exercise may be better for increasing energy than intense aerobic exercise.
4. Encourage staff to get up and have a conversation with another employee regarding work, rather than sending an email.
5. Organise an event where all staff can participate, such as a fun run or walk for a cause.
6. Get an ergonomics expert to make sure that chairs, desks and computers are set up to reduce, not increase, stress and pain.

What We Do | We help businesses improve productivity and labour costs by decreasing work-related pain and risk of injury claims.  We do this by training the Personal Protective Behaviours (PPBs) individuals need for modern computer-intensive work and play. 

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