This might shock you, but the number of sedentary jobs has grown exponentially by 83% since 1950. Meanwhile, only a fifth of today’s jobs are physically active. Reflecting the market change in the world of work, these sedentary jobs vary from low-skilled admin through to the modern tech jobs that have begun to characterise the skyline of Dublin.
But what impact have these trends had on employee health? Not a positive one at that. Some workers are now reportedly less active than the oldest pensioners, with minutes of exercise dwindling rapidly, while physical inactivity has become the world’s 4th largest killer, according to the World Health Organisation. Overworked and under exercised, it can easily take a toll on an employee’s health.
But is your business aware? If so, what are you doing about it?
Why You Should Act Now
As Richard Branson concludes, “business success is all about people, people, people.”
Your business relies on your talent – you need to make sure you nurture that talent in every way possible. By actively seeking out your moral duty of care to your colleagues in all aspects of your health, you can do good for your business and our ever-changing society as a whole.
Top risks of your workforce’s physical inactitivty can include diabetes, risking obesity, greater depression and cardiovascular issues, as well as certain types of the dreaded “C” – cancer.
By introducing new measures and taking the time to adequately plan a new approach to getting colleagues to go that extra mile for their own physical wellbeing, you can greatly improve the productivity and reputation of your company.
How to Help
Awareness is key – making sure that your business actively encourages colleagues through training and internal encouragement could make a big difference.
This can also be enhanced by putting in place new activities for colleagues during working hours, for example a lunchtime running club or yoga class.
Before you fret - this isn’t code for another break! It just means instead of sitting, struggling through a meeting and trying not to fall asleep, colleagues can get into the fresh air, get networking and get active all at the same time.
Not only will you be putting your colleagues health first, but the health and productivity of your company as a whole will be set high on the agenda.
From standing desks and the use of exercise balls, to more advanced treadmill desks, this can encourage more movement amongst your team, a great step count and a greater chance of improving their health.
Walk This Way, Talk This Way
Clearly, we need to get our staff out of their chairs, onto their feet, and moving in order to maintain a healthy and fit workforce as we gradually move into a new decade.
Sending the odd encouraging staff newsletter or putting up posters in the bathroom isn’t going to cut it.
Start walking your way to a healthier workforce by planning and executing effective workplace initiatives and introducing practical workplace equipment which will encourage healthier lifestyles for those that work for you – do it the HR way!
But what impact have these trends had on employee health? Not a positive one at that. Some workers are now reportedly less active than the oldest pensioners, with minutes of exercise dwindling rapidly, while physical inactivity has become the world’s 4th largest killer, according to the World Health Organisation. Overworked and under exercised, it can easily take a toll on an employee’s health.
But is your business aware? If so, what are you doing about it?
Why You Should Act Now
As Richard Branson concludes, “business success is all about people, people, people.”
Your business relies on your talent – you need to make sure you nurture that talent in every way possible. By actively seeking out your moral duty of care to your colleagues in all aspects of your health, you can do good for your business and our ever-changing society as a whole.
Top risks of your workforce’s physical inactitivty can include diabetes, risking obesity, greater depression and cardiovascular issues, as well as certain types of the dreaded “C” – cancer.
By introducing new measures and taking the time to adequately plan a new approach to getting colleagues to go that extra mile for their own physical wellbeing, you can greatly improve the productivity and reputation of your company.
How to Help
- Encourage Colleagues
Awareness is key – making sure that your business actively encourages colleagues through training and internal encouragement could make a big difference.
This can also be enhanced by putting in place new activities for colleagues during working hours, for example a lunchtime running club or yoga class.
- Meetings on the Move
Before you fret - this isn’t code for another break! It just means instead of sitting, struggling through a meeting and trying not to fall asleep, colleagues can get into the fresh air, get networking and get active all at the same time.
- Work Exercise Schemes
Not only will you be putting your colleagues health first, but the health and productivity of your company as a whole will be set high on the agenda.
- Upgrade Your Equipment
From standing desks and the use of exercise balls, to more advanced treadmill desks, this can encourage more movement amongst your team, a great step count and a greater chance of improving their health.
Walk This Way, Talk This Way
Clearly, we need to get our staff out of their chairs, onto their feet, and moving in order to maintain a healthy and fit workforce as we gradually move into a new decade.
Sending the odd encouraging staff newsletter or putting up posters in the bathroom isn’t going to cut it.
Start walking your way to a healthier workforce by planning and executing effective workplace initiatives and introducing practical workplace equipment which will encourage healthier lifestyles for those that work for you – do it the HR way!
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