Workplace Exercise Programs –  Forming an Employee Committee

While support from the top is vital to a successful initiative, support from other employees is also important.

After you get the go-ahead from management, identify others who are interested in the project and form a committee to help determine the next steps.

Depending on the size of your worksite and the amount of staff time management is willing to contribute, this committee may  be advisory or may plan and carry out the wellness program.

The committee could include personnel from HR, occupational safety and health and finance. It is also a good idea to involve staff from other areas who have an interest in promoting physical activity.

Terms of reference will define the boundaries of the project. for example, it’s important for the committee to have obviously defined and understood tasks. Possible tasks include the following –

• Reviewing your workplace environment

• Implementing an employee interest survey.

• Creating a mission statement and objectives and objectives.

• Writing a exercise or wellness policy declaring the company’s commitment to exercise.

• Brainstorming wellness program ideas.

• Promoting, communicating and marketing the initiative.

• Coordinating specific activities.

• Deciding how the wellness program will be examined.

• Continually reviewing what is or isn’t working and adjusting the plan.

Prior to making plans to encourage exercise during the workday, it’s vital that you determine what is “doable” in your workplace.

You don’t want to elevate staff member expectations by offering something that is impossible due to funding or space limits.

For  instance, it’s not realistic to suggest putting in a workout facility if there’s no room for it. be open, notwithstanding, to creative ways around limitations.

Worksite Exercise Programs – Finding out What is Possible in Your Worksite

Consult recreation departments or fitness facilities for maps of the local walking trails or underground pedways. Great walking trails may  be right around the block from your workplace.

Following are some questions to help you assess your workplace –

• What facilities or opportunities does your work space offer that make it easier to be physically active during the workday? for example, do you have stairs, bike racks, showers, space for a fitness facility, factory walking lanes?

• What nearby facilities or opportunities could workers use to be more physically active during the workday? Are you close to sidewalks, walking trails, community centers, bike lanes for active commuting and/or exercise facilities?

• What resources are available?

• can the program access funds, personnel, space, equipment, facilities?

• What’s the structure of your business? for  instance, consider staff size, working hours, number of sites, unusual shifts, length of lunch breaks and ability to use flex time.