The following inspiration page is based on borsen.dk's article from 2017 "Concrete benefits of exercise at work".
Exercise in the workplace can have significant benefits, not only for employee health, but also for company productivity and sick leave. According to research, even one hour of exercise per week during working hours can help reduce sickness absence by up to 30 percent. This practice can even lead to savings on sick leave, which in principle enables companies to invest in exercise at no extra cost. Let's take a closer look at how exercise in the workplace can have a positive impact on both the health of employees and the work culture.
Benefits of exercise in the workplace:
Reduced sickness absence: Several studies show that exercise during working hours can lead to significant reductions in sickness absence. A PhD thesis carried out by Just Bendix Justesen and his colleagues revealed that one hour of exercise per week could reduce short-term sickness absence by as much as 56 percent. This means that companies that offer employees exercise during working hours can achieve significant savings on sick leave.
Increased productivity: In addition to reducing sickness absence, exercise in the workplace can also contribute to improving productivity. Studies have shown that regular exercise can increase employees' energy levels, concentration and mental acuity. A 10 percent improvement in productivity was observed in Justesen's research. This is probably because exercise releases endorphins that improve mood and reduce stress, which has a positive impact on employee performance.
Implementation of exercise in the workplace:
Create awareness: Management should be proactive in promoting exercise as part of the work culture. Carry out information campaigns and highlight the benefits of exercise for both the individual employee and the company as a whole. This can help to create an awareness of the importance of exercise and motivate employees to participate.
Health ambassadors: Appoint employees as health ambassadors who can act as role models and motivators. These ambassadors can inform about health-related topics, organize training activities and encourage colleagues to participate. The trust between colleagues can have a strong influence on the participation and maintenance of exercise in the workplace. The health ambassadors can also help to create a positive and supportive atmosphere where employees feel encouraged and motivated to take part in the exercise offers.
Adaptation to individual needs: It is important to recognize that not all employees have the same preferences or physical abilities. Therefore, the exercise offers should be flexible and adapted to the needs and interests of the individual employees. This can include different types of exercise, such as team training, individual training or physical activities outside the workplace. By offering different options, the likelihood that employees will find a form of exercise that suits them is increased.
Support from management: Successful implementation of exercise in the workplace requires support and backing from management. It is important that management clearly communicates the value of exercise and creates clear frameworks and guidelines for implementation. The management must also be role models and participate in the exercise programs themselves in order to motivate the employees and show commitment.
Positive results in addition to health benefits:
Implementing exercise in the workplace has been shown to have positive effects beyond improved health and reduced sickness absence. Just Bendix Justesen observed a clear improvement in employee satisfaction and the working climate. When employees are given the opportunity to exercise and prioritize their health at work, they feel valued and experience increased well-being. This can contribute to better collaboration, increased commitment and a more positive working environment in general.
Exercise in the workplace has proven to be an effective method to reduce sickness absence and improve work culture. Through organized exercise programs and support from health ambassadors, companies can achieve significant savings on sickness absence and at the same time increase productivity. To ensure success, it is important that management supports the exercise programs and creates an atmosphere where employees feel encouraged and motivated to participate. Exercise in the workplace can not only improve employees' health, but also strengthen cooperation, well-being and the general working environment.
At Movewell, we believe that exercise in the workplace can be a key to reducing sickness absence and improving the work culture. We offer our solution Move On to improve activity and exercise in the workplace. With Move On, we tailor to the individual company and its employees. You can read more about Move On here.
Below you can see our selection of running and training clothes.
