January 2014

Why is physical activity in the workplace important?

There are many compelling reasons. For example, 15 million Canadians spend one half of their waking hours at work. A majority cite time as their major impediment to increasing their physical activity. It is vital, therefore, to find ways of increasing physical activity to, from and at the workplace.

The latest Health Canada Population Health Survey shows that people who are inactive at work are also inactive at home. Research also indicates that there may be increased costs for organizations that have physically inactive employees. Some of these costs include: increased employee benefit costs, reduced productivity, and increased absenteeism.

Furthermore, workplaces that encourage regular physical activity report:

• Increased productivity and morale
• Reduced injury rates
• Better employee relations
• Improved job satisfaction and team spirit
• Improved employee health and fitness

Finally, being physically active can have a dramatic impact on your health. People who are physically active enjoy:

• Better health
• Improved fitness
• Better posture and balance
• Better self-esteem
• Weight control
• Stronger muscles and bones
• More energy
• Relaxation and reduced stress
• Continued independent living later in life

What are the risks of not being physically active in the workplace?

People who don't get enough physical activity either at work or at home risk:

• Premature death
• Heart disease
• Obesity
• High-blood pressure
• Adult-onset diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Stroke
• Depression
• Colon cancer

Employees who aren't physically active can have a negative impact on businesses, such as:

• increased employee benefit costs
• reduced productivity
• decreased employee satisfaction
• increased absenteeism
• increased short- and long-term disability payments
• increased levels of worker's compensation

Fatigue, inattention, and accidents are also more common among inactive employees. In fact, research suggests that physical inactivity is as dangerous to your health as smoking.

Source: http://www.cchalw.ca/english/faq.aro