Could Your Employer Help You to Get Fit?

If you've been looking for help to get yourself fitter and healthier, you might want to check out whether your workplace offers any kind of support. Many employers offer programs and incentives to help their workforce stay healthy, and these often include discounted gym memberships and other worthy programs. 

Having healthy and happy employees is vital for any businesses success, and research has shown that when employers provide programs to help the people that work for them to get and stay fitter, it has a very positive impact on their business.

Businesses that have put programs in place report all manner of benefits, from lower rates of employee sickness (and consequently fewer sick days taken), fewer accidents at work, greater levels of job satisfaction and higher rates of employee retention. 

The types of programs offered varies from employer to employer, but a common benefit given is a reduced rate fitness club benefit. In fact, the Public Health Agency of Canada reports that 1 in 5 fitness club memberships belongs to someone that joined through their work, and that 83% of fitness clubs offer special corporate rates. 

Other incentives could include things like smoking cessation, weight-loss, nutrition and exercise programs. American Express Canada offers its employees all of these things, and as a consequence has employee satisfaction levels that far exceed the national averages, and this is probably a major reason why the company is considered one of the best employers in Canada. (There are some other great examples of what companies do to help their employees on the Public Health Agency of Canada website.)

If you haven't already checked into your employee assistance program (if your employer has one) you should, and be sure to look at what support they offer. Don't overlook things like psychological support - your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and counseling can be invaluable in helping you address issues that are keeping you unfit and unhappy. 

And if your workplace doesn't offer any incentives to stay fit and healthy, you could suggest to your HR manager that they start one. They don't need to spend a fortune, but research shows that any outlay is more than covered in the amounts they'll save by having healthy and happy staff. 

X-Weighted Connect is being covered by several companies we have approached. Be sure to check with your company to see if your ticket cost can be refunded.

Does your employer do something to help its workforce stay fit and healthy? Alternatively, do you and your colleagues have an informal support system (such as a lunchtime walking group or weight-loss contest) in place? Tell us below, we'd love to hear about it!