Companies offer their employees exercise and fitness during work hours

  
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Numerous workplaces globally prohibit employees from exercising in their workspaces, expecting them to do it during their free time.

But now, more and more companies recognize the importance of promoting healthier lifestyles among their employees by providing facilities and time for various forms of exercise during their work hours.  

A new Danish study shows that exercise bands and limited exercises have become an integral part of working hours for an increasing number of people, and this initiative reduces sick leave.

Other companies offer daily or weekly breaks during working hours in their private gyms and facilities, and employees are encouraged to break up the working day with active walks, etc., to get their heart rates up.

Reduced sick leave

"More people have become aware of all the benefits of exercise at work - perhaps reflecting a growing societal trend where work and leisure merge and where people want to stay healthier at work.

The results of our research show that employees' sick leave is reduced more by exercising at work than at home," Danish professor of healthy working life Lars L. Andersen says.

More people have discovered all the benefits of exercise at their offices, perhaps an expression of a growing social trend where work and leisure merge and employees want to be healthier at their workplace.                                                      Photos: iStock

His studies show that if all workplaces introduced measures with exercise during work hours, longer sick leave among employees of more than 30 days could be prevented by almost 13%.

"The workplace surroundings will play a role around the activities. It is easier to do small exercises in an office than in a slaughterhouse, which places greater demands on where and when employees can train due to hygiene requirements," Lars L. Andersen adds.

Healthier workforce

Workplace exercise and fitness programs have transitioned from optional perks to essential components of the modern work environment which aim to prioritize employee well-being.

Companies that implement exercise, fitness, and wellness strategies for their employees increase employee satisfaction and foster a healthier, more resilient, and engaged workforce.

Workplace exercise and fitness programs have transitioned from optional perks to essential components of the top modern work environment which aim to prioritize employee well-being.

Employees who are physically and mentally healthy tend to be more engaged, productive, and innovative. Investing in wellness initiatives leads to fewer sick days, lower healthcare costs, and improved morale, which can result in long-term benefits for the company.

“Ignoring the well-being of your employees not only hurts your workforce, it also results in tangible losses to your bottom line,” HR experts agree.

Exercise success

Danish IT consultancy PicoPublish did offer their employees one hour of free exercise per week for the past year, costing the company 1,610 hours of lost labour per year.

"For us, it's also about exercise, doing something to your cognitive ability to be creative, innovative and efficient, and we need that," strategic operations director at PicoPublish, Belinda Adserballe, says.

Physically and mentally healthy office workers are more engaged, productive and innovative. Investing in health initiatives results in fewer sick days, lower healthcare costs and increased morale, which means long-term benefits for the company.

More than half of the 50 employees at PicoPublish jump in their sportswear every week, and for data consultant Rasmus Olin Buchholt, this means more than collegial togetherness.

"It gives you more energy throughout the week, so you can quickly catch up on that hour. It's a unique opportunity to make the logistical nightmare of everyday life go away, and in general, there is less illness in the office because we stay healthy."  ●
 

Read more:
Bq-magazine.com: Prioritising employee wellness in your business
Business.com: 9 reasons why encouraging employee fitness is beneficial
Indeed.com: How to implement employee wellness programs - tips and benefits
News-medical.net: Boosts employee health and fitness with daily 15-minute exercise