How does physical activity fit into a full-time employee’s busy schedule? Often, it doesn’t.

One possible solution to this challenge is to make physical activity a part of the work day. Clearly, being active at work is beneficial for employees. But employers also benefit from having fit, energetic and healthy staff members who are more productive.

The challenges
Your job takes up a lot of your time. In addition to the hours you spend actually working, there is the time required to get to and from work and take lunch and rest breaks during the work day. In the end, there are a limited number of hours left over for the rest of your life. This work life imbalance is especially true for Alberta, where statistics show that we work exceptionally hard.

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Statistics Canada’s 2004 Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics found that Alberta workers between ages 25 and 54 put in more hours on the job than workers in any other province. Typically, full-time work in Canada amounts to 36 hours a week or 1,880 hours a year. But 12 per cent of Albertans work more than 2,300 hours a year.

Many jobs today are sedentary, and many Albertans drive to work. The pressures of work may also cause us to eat lunch at our desks and skip breaks. Then, after work or on the weekends we juggle household chores, family responsibilities and social engagements.

Get started on a workplace fitness program
Management plays a key role in creating a culture that promotes health. The leaders at your workplace influence the various policies and the informal or formal practices, and these policies and practices affect your attitude towards healthy active living. For more information, see the description of a healthy workplace culture in The Business Case for Active Living at Work, a website of the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Begin by talking to your boss about the benefits of a healthy active workplace. The best way to ensure the success of a workplace fitness program is to have the management on side and cheering you on.

Ask your boss to consider taking these actions:

• Send a memo or message about the importance of health and healthy living that encourages staff to take an active break each day.
• Provide for flexible work hours that help staff to be more physically active. For example, they might need to take a longer lunch break to attend an exercise class, making up the time by coming to work early or staying late.
• Make available a meeting room or other suitable office space for noon-hour yoga or exercise classes, and hire a teacher to lead them, or use videos.

If your boss agrees to support a workplace fitness program, don’t forget to say thanks.

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You don’t need an on-site gym
Only very large companies can afford on-site fitness facilities such as exercise equipment or squash courts. Still, most employers can take other affordable steps to support workers who wish to become more active.

For example:

• Arrange for discounted fees for employees at a fitness club, recreation centre or YMCA facility.
• Install showers and a place to hang a towel. (Make sure the showers are cleaned regularly and that women who use them will feel secure.)
• Install bike racks or a locked enclosure that is safe, conveniently located and well lighted.
• Hold walking meetings and set up lunch-hour walking groups
• Make employees aware of safe and pleasant walking routes near the workplace, as well as nearby facilities that offer fitness programs (such as walking, swimming, running, yoga, stretching).
• Hire a certified instructor to teach staff about health, fitness and how to become more active.

Any size and type of workplace can support employees who wish to be physically active. It’s highly desirable to get management on side. Even if your boss isn’t supportive, you can still find ways to get moving more. Set up activities for groups and individuals, and encourage your co-workers to join in.

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Learn more

Healthy U at Work
Outlines basic steps towards starting a healthy eating and active living program in your workplace.

Alberta Centre for Active Living
The Physical Activity @ Work website provides information for you and your boss about supporting physical activity in your workplace.

Public Health Agency of Canada: Business Case for Active Living at Work
Excellent information about why workplaces should support active living.

Canadian Council for Health and Active Living at Work
Newsletter, information and briefs to help you create a healthy workplace.