Why health & fitness is important in the workplace

Maintaining a healthy workplace is something many companies put on the back burner due to other priorities. However, there are many reasons why we believe it’s important to promote health and fitness in the workplace.

Health and fitness in the workplace can lead to:

• Increased productivity
• Less stressed employees
• Increased job satisfaction
• Improved sense of well-being
• Less absenteeism
• Reduced health care and insurance costs

We believe that promoting a healthy and active workplace provides tremendous benefit to our employees and our company. Last summer, Rogers employees participated in the “Fun it Mount Everest Challenge”.  The challenge incorporated the use of step tracking devices, with the ultimate goal being for teams to walk the distance that it would take to climb Mount Everest. One of our employees even single-handedly “climbed” Mount Everest. The next “Fun It” challenge began on November 1st and this time the teams will battle to walk the distance of the Trans-Canada Highway. This friendly competition encourages all staff to be aware of their daily physical activity and to support one-another. There’s no doubt that the Rogers’ office is a place of encouragement for staff to stay active!

To help accommodate busy schedules, we also offer lunchtime and after-work yoga classes. Employees have the option to take these classes (taught by our own employees) at a discounted rate as compared to regularly priced yoga classes. The feedback we’ve heard is that our employees enjoy the break away from the office, felt stress relief and enjoyed the quick workout during the workday.

In addition to physical activity, we work hard to ensure that we also offer our employees an opportunity to keep their bodies in top condition. Each year we have public health personnel come into our office locations and offer flu shots at no cost to our employees. This year we saw an increase in employees taking part and we attribute this to the fact that it was convenient and timely. We also offer First Aid training so that each floor has at least one person trained in First Aid and CPR. We know that this helps our employees feel confident and safe during work hours, as well as other aspects of their daily lives.

We believe that a healthy and active company is important. What does your organization do to encourage employees to keep healthy and active?

Blog Author: Andrea Racette | Human Resources | Rogers Insurance Ltd.