Benefits

Benefits for employers

Employers who promote physical activity report the following effects on their workforce:

• improved health
• a positive impact on stress, back pain and mental health
• increased productivity
• lower rates of absenteeism and quicker return to work after illness
• fewer injuries in the workplace
• greater staff retention
• improvements in communications, morale and working atmosphere
• a positive corporate image.

Benefits for employees

To stay healthy and productive employees should aim to get 30 minutes of activity into each working day.

• Increasing our activity levels can help to protect against coronary heart disease, stroke, obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), colorectal (bowel) cancer, stress, anxiety, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and low back pain.
• Physical activity helps people to manage stress, back pain, weight and medical conditions.
• Active people fall ill less often and recover more quickly when they do get ill.
• Employees who participate in workplace physical activities have reported greater enjoyment of their work, increased concentration and mental alertness and improved co-operation and rapport with colleagues.