Worksite Exercise Programs – Committees and Opportunities.

Worksite Physical Activity Programs –  Forming an Staff Member Committee

Although support from the top is critical to a successful initiative, support from other workers is also important.

Once you have the go-ahead from management, identify others who are interested in the project and form a committee to help determine the next steps.

Depending on the size of your worksite and the amount of staff time management is willing to contribute, this committee might  be advisory or may plan and carry out the wellness program.

The committee could include personnel from human resources, occupational health and safety and finance. It’s also a good idea to involve staff from other areas who have an interest in promoting exercise.

Terms of reference will define the boundaries of the project. for  instance, it’s important for the committee to have clearly defined and understood tasks. Possible tasks include the following -

o  Investigating your worksite environment

o  Completing an worker interest survey.

o  Creating a mission statement and goals and goals.

o  Writing a physical activity or wellness policy declaring the organization’s commitment to physical activity.

o  Brainstorming health promotion program ideas.

o  Promoting, communicating and advertising the program.

o  Coordinating specific activities.

o  Determining how the health promotion program are going to be analyzed.

o  Continually investigating what is or isn’t working and adjusting the plan.

Before you make plans to encourage physical activity during the workday, it is vital that you figure out what’s “doable” in your workplace.

You do not want to raise employee expectations by offering something that’s impossible because of funding or space limits.

For example, it’s not realistic to suggest putting in a workout facility when there’s no room for it. be open, however, to creative ways around limitations.

Workplace Physical Activity Programs – Locating out What’s Possible in Your Workplace

Consult recreation departments or fitness facilities for maps of the local walking trails or underground pedways. Great walking trails may  be right around the block from your worksite.

Here are some questions to help you assess your worksite -

o  What facilities or opportunities does your work space offer that make it easier to be physically active during the workday? for  instance, do you have stairs, bicycle racks, showers, space for a workout facility, factory walking lanes?

o  What nearby facilities or opportunities could workforce use to be more physically active during the workday? Are you close to sidewalks, walking trails, community centers, bike lanes for active commuting and/or exercise facilities?

o  What resources are available?

o  can the program access funds, personnel, space, equipment, facilities?

o  What is the structure of your company? for  instance, consider staff size, working hours, number of sites, unusual shifts, length of lunch breaks and ability to use flex time.