To succeed in encouraging physical activity during the workday, you have to figure out what staff need and want. They’re the people  whose behaviour you are trying to influence, so it’s critical to understand their needs and gain their support.

The Employee Interest Survey

Ask staff members questions that allow you to assess such key characteristics as age, gender, social relationships, family responsibilities and current exercise participation.

It’s important to know this information so that your exercise program meets employees’ needs. Staff Members aren’t going to participate in something they are not interested in.

Ask personnel what they want, and then implement changes that fit with their needs and working conditions. for example, personnel might not want to do activities that make them sweat, because they do not want to shower at work.

Ask workers what the corporation could do to make it easier for them to be more physically active during the workday. When there’s a common trend throughout your corporation, a single change could affect a lot of people .

For  instance, suppose a big group shows interest in bicycling to work. They may want to shower and change after their commute. You may give priority to installing worksite showers and changing facilities. Secure bicycle storage may  be important as well.

If you’re launching a wellness program that requires going outside, begin in the spring. By the time winter comes around, participation is already a habit.

Involving workforce is key to increasing physical activity participation rates. Individuals  are more willing to participate in and support physical activity programs when they’re involved in decision making.

The following tips will help you produce your own staff member interest survey –

• Keep it short (no longer than 10 minutes to complete).

• Let workers know why you are doing the survey.

• Rather than using all open-ended questions, which may be long and difficult to analyze, ask people  to select from a drop-down list of possible responses.

• Ask for comments and suggestions in one open-ended question at the end.

• Make it confidential and anonymous. Do not request information that may identify a person.

• When you are including a list of potential wellness programs or environmental changes, make sure your workplace has the facilities and resources to offer them.