Organisations with staff on the frontlines will already have plans in place to protect them: maintaining social distance, providing personal protective equipment etc. But outside of work hours, how can we encourage a more permanent lifestyle change so that employees stay healthy and resilient in the long-term?

Employers have an important part to play. Not only can they positively affect employee physical wellbeing by implementing initiatives, they can also support their employees to make healthier choices.

Employer led physical wellbeing programmes have been shown to improve employee health and fitness, reduce absenteeism, increase retention, and improve employee alertness, morale and job satisfaction, all of which contribute to a more productive workforce and a positive corporate image*.

And employees have never been more receptive. For example, we know from our Cycle to Work scheme that providers that bike sales are up by a huge percentage. The implication? Employees are trying to improve their fitness and reduce their risk of falling ill.

Employers should focus on improving physical health amongst their workforce, to help build resilience in the long-term.

Employers can support this drive for a healthier lifestyle in several ways:

Encourage employees to cycle to work instead of driving

The health benefits of cycling are well understood. Regular cycling can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke**.

Less well know perhaps is the positive effect regular cycling has on mental health - it’s proven that 15% more people who ride a bike every day are satisfied with their lives than people who haven’t biked since becoming an adult.

Gamify exercise

Healthy competition between staff and departments can be used as a tool to encourage employee participation – for example, through a step challenge or comparing the number of miles cycled per week. 

Friendly competition can also encourage staff to set personal fitness goals and provide an incentive to achieve them.

Exercising ‘together’

Many organisations have started providing exercise classes that employees can follow along with in their own homes via video conferencing platforms.

Whilst gyms and leisure centres remain closed, employees may find it helpful to have a set time every week to get active in the (virtual) company of friends from work, as well as a chance to try a new activity.

Access to healthy food

Employers who provide food for staff in the workplace may wish to consider whether they can improve their offering. 

Whilst is it impossible for employers to police what employees can and cannot eat, and unreasonable for them to want to do so, there are some ways in which they can positively impact the eating choices of their employees. These steps can be as simple as offering healthy options for purchase in the tuck shop or canteen or including information on how to eat better as part of their overall wellbeing offering.

Physical health initiatives are a great way to demonstrate your commitment to your employees, however, are only part of the bigger picture. Having a well-rounded wellbeing programme not only looks at how and what businesses can do to encourage a healthier lifestyle for their staff, it focuses on all elements of wellbeing including financial, mental and social. A holistic wellbeing approach will not only benefit your staff, but your business as well.

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