Employee Wellness Plans : Worksite Wellness Programs: How Employer Policies Can Help Staff Members to Remain Active

• Commit to workplace physical exercise in policy statements and commit funding to physical exercise initiatives.
• Clearly communicating the advantages of being physically active during the workday reinforces the company’s responsibility to supporting all staff members be active. Use meetings, bulletin boards, newsletters and e-mail to reach as many staff members as possible at least once a year.
• Offer flex time for physical exercise. Invite employees who actively commute to work or exercise at lunchtime to make up any missed time later in the day.
• Consider allowing workers to work part time, so that they can take part in physical exercise.
• Include a physical exercise account in your benefit plan to pay for or subsidize fitness memberships, assessments, classes, counselling or instruction.
• Offer interest-free loans for workers to buy bicycles or great walking shoes/runners.
• Conduct periodic employee interest surveys of employee physical activity preferences, and offer a variety of options to suit those interests and needs.
• Hire qualified individuals to lead stretch breaks or physical exercise programs or classes. For help in finding accredited fitness leaders, visit Alberta’s Provincial Fitness Unit.
• Recognize staff members who participate in physical exercise. Survey staff members first to determine how they prefer to be recognized, e.g., through employer newsletters, appreciation lunches, rewards and/or thank you notes.
• Give child care and other family-friendly amenities during physical activities that occur after work.
• Avoid scheduling meetings during lunch.
• Encourage active breaks instead of coffee breaks.
• Have active fundraisers instead of bingos. For example, employees might climb the Calgary Tower stairs or take turns riding a stationary bike for 24 hours.
• Make birthday celebrations active times. Instead of a lunch, invite the birthday person to choose an exercise. Options might include a session with a yoga instructor or an evening ski trip.
• Encourage a casual dress day. One study reported that employees who dress casually were more physically active.