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Workplace Physical Activity Programs –  Forming an Employee Committee

Although support from the top is critical to a successful initiative, support from other employees is also important.

Once 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 workplace and the amount of staff time management is willing to contribute, this committee could  be advisory or may plan and carry out the initiative.

The committee could include staff members from HR, occupational health and safety and finance. It’s 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  instance, it’s important for the committee to have clearly defined and understood tasks. Possible tasks include the following –

• Evaluating your workplace environment

• Carrying out an staff member interest survey.

• Developing a mission statement and goals and goals.

• Writing a physical activity or wellness policy declaring the organization’s commitment to physical activity.

• Brainstorming program ideas.

• Promoting, communicating and marketing and advertising the initiative.

• Coordinating specific activities.

• Deciding how the initiative will be investigated.

• Continually evaluating  what’s or isn’t working and adjusting the plan.

Before making plans to encourage exercise during the workday, it’s important to find out what’s “doable” in your workplace.

You don’t want to increase employee expectations by offering something that’s impossible due to funding or space limits.

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

Workplace Exercise Programs –  Locating out What’s Possible in Your Workplace

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

Below 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, bicycle racks, showers, space for a exercise facility, factory walking lanes?

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

• What resources are available?

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

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