Encouraging Worker Physical Activity Through Corporation Policy.
• Commit to workplace physical activity in policy statements and commit funding to physical activity initiatives.
• Obviously communicating the benefits of being physically active during the workday reinforces the corporation’s commitment to assisting all employees be active.
Use meetings, bulletin boards, newsletters and e-mail to reach as many employees as possible at least once a year.
• Offer flex time for exercise. Invite workers who actively commute to work or exercise during lunch to make up any missed time later in the day.
• Allow staff to work part time, so that they can participate in exercise.
• Include a physical activity account in your benefit plan to pay for or subsidize fitness memberships, assessments, classes, counselling or instruction.
• Give interest-free loans for employees to purchase bicycles or good walking shoes/runners.
• Conduct periodic surveys of staff physical activity preferences, and offer a variety of choices to suit those interests and needs.
• Hire licensed people to lead stretch breaks or exercise programs or classes. for help in finding accredited fitness leaders, visit Alberta’s Provincial Fitness Unit.
• Recognize employees who participate in exercise. Survey employees first to determine how they prefer to be recognized, e.g., through company newsletters, appreciation lunches, rewards and/or thank you notes.
• Provide child care and other family-friendly amenities during physical activities that occur after work.
• Prevent scheduling meetings over lunch.
• Make certain to encourage active breaks instead of coffee breaks.
• Have active fundraisers rather than bingos. for example, employees might climb the Calgary Tower stairs or take turns riding a stationary bike for 24 hours.
• Make birthday celebrations active times. Instead of a lunch, invite the birthday individuals to select an activity. Options could include a session with a yoga instructor or an evening ski trip.
• Promote a casual dress day. One study found that workers who dress casually were more physically active.