Previously on 1850 Thoughts, we’ve looked at healthy workspaces and ways to keep active in a mostly-sedentary office-worker lifestyle. We also
looked at the benefits of having an on-site gym; this perk being convenient, encouraging and promoting health in
employees.
All these topics focus on well-being, health and fitness of
employees, which are all associated with productivity and performance at work; today
we’re looking at the facts and figures of UK workers in regards to exercise,
with research from AXA PPP healthcare.
The study, of 1,000 full-time UK employees, found that 61%
of employees receive no encouragement from their employer to lead an active
lifestyle, despite 78% of bosses agreeing that exercise is beneficial for
productivity.
Of course, it’s not entirely an employer’s responsibility to
get employees to be healthy, but putting forward incentives such as discounted
gym memberships or cycle-to-work schemes can be beneficial for all parties if
it means employees’ productivity increases.
Of the employees who choose to work-out before work, 75% say
it spurs them to be more effective when they get to the office, and 69% say
they feel more productive after an active morning.
Of those who don’t exercise around their work commitments
(whether that be morning, lunch-time or after work), reasoning surround the
subjects of time and perception:
- 26% don ’t have time to exercise before work or during lunch-breaks due to work-loads
- 22% blame self-esteem issues, being body-conscious about working-out alongside fellow employees
- 26% are worried about appearing unprofessional in gym-clothing in front of colleagues
- 25% feel embarrassed about their fitness-level and appearing unfit in front of others
If you’re looking to promote active lifestyles for your
employees, there are a number of options.
Introducing or altering flexible working could combat the
lack-of-time issue allowing employees to fit in exercise when it suits them
best, whether it be in the morning to kick-start the day, lunchtime for a
midday boost, or after work to ease any stress or tension which may have built
up during the day.
As previously mentioned, offering discounted gym memberships,
advertising fitness classes and offering incentives and rewards for
cycle-to-work schemes or similar.
To combat embarrassment and perception issues, consider
making the office one where collaboration comes naturally – in co-working, collaborative spaces – and friendships
are built to try and break down any barriers. If employees are comfortable and
happy around each other, this may make exercising less embarrassing and more
sociable and enjoyable.
Laura Sewell
An
aspiring journalist, Laura is our Content Writer. Pop-punk gig-goer and drag queen enthusiast,
Laura is working her way into the industry with a love of writing about
anything and everything in tow.
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