Workplace Walking
Given the amount of time people spend at work it makes sense to think about the opportunities for increasing levels of physical activity in and around the workplace.
Benefits for employees
Walking is a cheap and effective way to promote better health and wellbeing to the workforce. A short lunchtime walk is the ideal ‘stressbusting’ activity and has many benefits for employees:
- A lunchtime walk helps people to return to work feeling refreshed and energised
- Walking can be included as part of the journey to and from work and is easy to fit into lunch breaks. As it is a gentle activity there is no need to get changed or shower!
- Workplace walking can be a sociable activity and has the added value of providing an opportunity to network.
Benefits for employers
There are also advantages for employers who encourage physical activity within the workplace:
- Increases employee commitment to work, staff performance and productivity
- Reduces staff turnover or intention to leave
- Reduces sickness costs and absence
Facts and figures
- Physically active employees take 27% less sick days than
non-active employees - Studies have shown that individual work performance can be improved by between 4% and 15% when people engage in regular physical activity
- An on-site fitness programme can reduce staff turnover by between 8% and 13%
(Statistics taken from British Heart Foundation)
Support from Paths to Health
Paths to Health have developed a number of initiatives to support the promotion of workplace walking. These resources can contribute to your organisation’s participation in the Healthy Working Lives Award Scheme.
Paths to Health workplace grants can help small and medium sized enterprises with potential costs of setting up or promoting workplace walks. To see what other workplaces are doing with Paths to Health support click here.
Workplace Training is available for Workplace Walk Organisers and Walk Leaders.
The Paths to Health Workplace Pedometer Pack is an effective way to motivate employees and generate interest in walking in your workplace.
For more information on any of these initiatives, contact the Paths to Health Development Officer for your area.
