Workplace Exercise Programs – Worker Interest Survey.

To succeed in stimulating physical activity during the workday, you must find out what personnel need and want. They are the people  whose behaviour you are attempting to influence, so it’s vital to understand their needs and gain their support.

The Worker Interest Survey

Ask personnel questions that allow you to assess such key characteristics as age, gender, social relationships, family responsibilities and current physical activity participation.

It’s crucial to know this information so that your physical activity program meets employees’ needs. Employees aren’t going to take part in something they’re not interested in.

Ask staff what they want, and then implement changes that fit with their needs and working conditions. for  instance, staff may not want to do activities that make them sweat, because they don’t want to shower at work.

Ask personnel what the organization could do to make it easier for them to be more physically active during the workday. If there’s a common trend throughout your organization, a single change could affect a lot of people .

For example, suppose a big group shows interest in biking to work. They might want to shower and change after their commute. You might give priority to installing worksite showers and changing facilities. Secure bicycle storage might  be important as well.

If you’re launching a health promotion program that requires going outside, begin in the spring. By the time winter comes around, participation is already a habit.

Involving personnel is key to increasing physical activity participation rates. People  are more willing to take part in and support physical activity programs when they are involved in decision making.

The following tips will help you produce your own employee interest survey -

o  Keep it short (no longer than 10 minutes to complete).

o  Let workers know why you are doing the survey.

o  Rather than using all open-ended questions, which may be long and difficult to analyze, ask people  to select from a drop-down list of possible responses.

o  Ask for comments and suggestions in one open-ended question at the end.

o  Make it confidential and anonymous. Do not request information that may identify a individuals.

o  When you’re including a list of potential wellness programs or environmental changes, make certain your workplace has the facilities and resources to offer them.