Numerous research articles demonstrate the link between unhealthy employees and the impact this has in the workplace. There is a direct cost impact on businesses with associated sick-leave, and also an indirect cost associated with reduced productivity and performance. It impacts businesses of all sizes, however it can have a bigger impact on small businesses due to their reliance on key employees.
There are a number of things employers can do to help minimise this impact and help develop employees that are highly productive. In addition, it can help improve team spirit and moral. One key example of this is a business or corporate fitness training program for your team.
Some tailored fitness training programs take a total health approach which include exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle factors. This holistic approach offers:
- Motivation and encouragement
- Whole body health assessments
- Personalised exercise programs (either at your workplace or at an outdoor location)
- Diet and Nutrition plan
- Health coaching to improve physical and mental wellbeing
They can often be setup to fit within your businesses schedule, whether that is during operating hours, after hours or on the weekend.
Health & Fitness Program Benefits
There are a vast range of benefits of these programs which include:
- Motivation & Moral: It’s a great team building activity which helps improve internal communications and general morale. Fitness achievements also lead to improved self-confidence, ambition to succeed and overall discipline. It also leads to improved attitudes as a result of chemical changes in their body which creates a better mood.
- Health: Fit and healthy employees are less likely to get sick, and therefore use sick days which naturally impacts productivity. Energy levels will be higher as exercise promotes better circulation which allows blood to reach the brain consistently. This helps ensure employees are focused and alert, whilst stress levels are also likely to be reduced thanks to a reduction in tension.
- Team Building: Learning to work as a team outside of work, will ensure employees have an easier time working together as a team during business hours. It’s great idea for businesses that rely on getting people to work closely together each day.
- It Shows You Care: Often employees feel that their employers don’t appreciate their contributions, which can lead to high levels of employee turnover. Having a program in place demonstrates that you care about them and appreciate the work they do.
Is it Easy to Implement?
Employee wellness is an important element to all successful businesses and is something that shouldn’t be treated as a one-off session or a once a year solution. Engagement, motivation, support and a strategy are the keys to a successful program, which should be integrated into your business operations.
Implementing a program may seem fairly straightforward, however the difficult part lies in how it’s executed. It can be wise to raise the concept with your employees, as the program may be perceived quite differently from person to person. Ultimately, both parties need to be involved and share a common vision.
It’s a complex and long-term approach that should be driven by a unique strategy by a professional health and fitness trainer. The strategy should involve a framework that outlines the short and long-term goals for you and your business. As it is implemented over time, it will evolve and can be integrated into the fabric your businesses culture.
The physical activity, education, communication, incentives, and other elements will inevitably help improve your business. So, what are you waiting for? As we start a new year, it’s time for a cultural shift to help your business prosper and grow.
“The opinions expressed by BizWitty Contributors are their own, not those of BizCover and should not be relied upon in place of appropriate professional advice. Please read our full disclaimer."
