Whether you're in management and have employees under you who may be affected, or if you're just a "peon" looking to influence your employer towards a more health-conscious culture at work, the reasons for encouraging fitness and health at work are pretty much undebatable. What it really comes down to is that healthy people are productive people, and having productive people in a place of business is always a good thing. So if you're compiling a case for your boss to
start up a wellness program, or just looking for your own inspiration, here are
10 reasons to encourage fitness and health at work:
- Reduced absenteeism and reduced health care costs. Fitness boosts the immune system, so fit employees are less likely to catch every cold that makes its way around the office and call in sick or visit the doctor.
- Higher productivity. Fit employees have more energy, and are better able to stay focused and work harder and faster than out of shape, sleepy workers.
- More ambitious attitudes. Fitness not only boosts the immune system, but a person's confidence as well. And people with more confidence will strive to meet higher goals and achieve more.
- Those same employees with higher confidence will inspire confidence in others -- both in their abilities (especially if they are in a position of leadership) or even just for others to get in shape themselves.
- Fit people tend to take on more leadership roles, and most businesses would rather be dealing with an over-abundance of leaders than just a big group of followers. Think of everything that could get accomplished!
- Fit employees are already practiced and experienced at setting and achieving goals (fitness, as we all know, is not easy!), and they can more easily translate that experience to a work related setting.
- Better attitudes all around. Obviously having a general employee population with increased confidence, leadership abilities, and ambition will translate into a generally improved attitude over-all.
- Fit employees are less-stressed employees due to the naturally relaxing and endorphin-releasing properties of regular exercise.
- Fitness opportunities are very often team building opportunities! Team sports like softball or tennis not only provide a fun way for employees to exercise, but also to get to know each other better and learn to work together.
- Wellness programs show that an employer cares about its employees, and employees notice and appreciate that. Plus, studies have shown that employees who take part in an employer-endorsed wellness program are happier at work and are less likely to seek other employment.
