Articles
Let Them See You Sweat
You can finally let your colleagues see you sweat. In fact, statistics show that a little bit of sweat leads to a better workforce, an increase in productivity, boosted morale and improved employee retention. In short- making exercise accessible to employees makes good business sense.
Keeping employees fit is hardly a new concept. Hundreds of Canadian companies employ full-time fitness and health specialists. The number-one reason: to contain health care related costs, whose premiums have risen by double digits in each of the past four years.
There are other soft costs related to having an inactive workforce. Your average employee loses 115 productive work hours every year due to a health condition according to the Canadian Fitness Lifestyle and Research Institute. Sadly the majority of the hours lost are invisible to the employer, because they occur on the job. “To have a healthy and productive workforce, we need to provide opportunities for our employees to become physically fit,” explains Yves Millette, president and CEO of Intuit Canada. We place a strong emphasis on the health of our staff. Fitness keeps them focused on the job”. The burgeoning accounting software company provides daily group exercise sessions with Defining Eve, in addition to offering up an on-site fitness room.
On-site fitness initiatives attract, support and retain good employees by creating an active environment that enhances and contributes to their performance. The Canadian Life Assurance Company found turnover among its fitness program participants 34.4 percent lower over a seven-year period compared with non-participants during that same time. (Canadian Journal of Public Health, Peter Leatt, Jan./Feb. 1988)
Regular and consistent exercise also motivates higher risk employees who need fitness and wellness programs the most. Over a six year- period, DuPont saw a 47.5 percent reduction in absenteeism among participants in its corporate fitness program and a return of $2.05 for every $1 invested in it’s employee fitness program.(Health Behavior, D.W. Edington, Ph.D., March 1992)
What’s in it for you and your Company? Corporate fitness is a great return on investment. The Coors Brewing Company found that, in 1990, it saw a return of $6.15 for every dollar spent on its corporate fitness program. This was the sixth year of its fitness program with annual returns ranging from $1.24 to $8.33. Join Canada’s top employers ; experience the karmic kickback of keeping your employees fit.
