Home > News > December 2004 > 03-Dec-2004

Lunchtime workout works wonders in the office says survey

A stress-busting lunchtime workout would help employees perform better in the workplace, according to a nation-wide survey from business information and advice provider Croner.

The online poll found that 69 percent of HR professionals believe providing exercise facilities at work or helping with gym costs would boost productivity and morale.

Fitness experts agree that working out can help boost energy levels, and in the long-term contribute to being fitter, healthier and happier.

But, say Croner, with a quarter of all UK employees working more than 48 hours each week, many are struggling to find time for exercise. The British Heart Foundation reports that two thirds of the population take no exercise at all.

"There has never been a greater need for people to do more exercise, but many view working up a sweat as a chore they don't have time for," said Peter Etherington, human resources expert at Croner. "Employers can do their bit to help, and we're seeing an increasing number providing exercise facilities.

"Even companies who don't have the space or resources to build their own gym can consider offering subsidised gym membership, organising sporting activities, or even providing healthy snack machines and water coolers to encourage an overall healthier working environment."

But Etherington believes that providing exercise facilities is not enough on its own to boost productivity and morale, and that bosses need to assess whether their workplace culture could actually be demotivating their staff.

"Lunch breaks and leaving on time should not be an occasional luxury," said Etherington. "When considering the health and well-being of their staff, employers should also think about encouraging sensible working hours.

"Evidence suggests that employees who put in the hours for the sake of appearances are not actually any more productive than those who leave on time - in fact the opposite is often true."

Managing absence, productivity and retaining staff are among the most common queries Croner receives from employers calling its Business Support Helplines.

Etherington: "Listening to the day-to-day problems HR managers are facing, those that have a work-late culture tend to have higher levels of sickness and more problems with motivation, morale and staff retention.

"While we wouldn't specifically advise employers to introduce exercise facilities or help with exercise costs as a quick-fix to increase profits, we would recommend they consider ways to address the health and well-being of their workforce.

"As the saying goes, a healthy body means a healthy mind, and our survey shows that helping employees to build exercise into a hectic lifestyle could mean a fitter business."

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