The Chicago Tribune reports on an active business trend, prompted by the continuing obesity epidemic in America: “Many corporations are now encouraging employees to move more during the workday: In an April survey by the corporate benefits group Workplace Options, 36% of employees said their jobs offered perks such as wellness coaches, on-site health screenings and fitness programs.
“And 70% of Fortune 200 companies offer physical fitness programs, according to the National Business Group on Health, with many saving on healthcare as a result.”
Examples range from outdoor clothing manufacturer Patagonia in California, where “the company's flex-time policy means employees can go running, biking or surfing in the middle of the workday, and nearly all of them do,” to pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, where “thousands of employees have enrolled in workshops targeting physical and mental health. The programs demonstrate workouts in the company gym and cover such basics as eating right and taking activity breaks away from the computer. More than one-third of employees surveyed three to 12 months after they complete the program say they've experienced ‘very significant improvements’ in their physical performance.”
“And 70% of Fortune 200 companies offer physical fitness programs, according to the National Business Group on Health, with many saving on healthcare as a result.”
Examples range from outdoor clothing manufacturer Patagonia in California, where “the company's flex-time policy means employees can go running, biking or surfing in the middle of the workday, and nearly all of them do,” to pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, where “thousands of employees have enrolled in workshops targeting physical and mental health. The programs demonstrate workouts in the company gym and cover such basics as eating right and taking activity breaks away from the computer. More than one-third of employees surveyed three to 12 months after they complete the program say they've experienced ‘very significant improvements’ in their physical performance.”
- KC's View:
-
Smart management knows that for a team to be successful, the members of the team have to be at the top of their games. Mentally and physically. There clearly are degrees to which different companies can provide options, but this kind of approach needs to be part of the broader game plan.
