A recent study by The Lancet, the independent medical journal, has found that physical inactivity in the workplace can pose dangers to a workforce. To combat this, the study suggests that one hour of moderate exercise each day is enough to offset the side effects of a typical sedentary working day. Many (typically larger) employers have already taken the decision to promote exercise and healthy living in the workplace by offering free or discounted gym memberships and setting up sports clubs. A recent trend has also been to introduce customised desks with treadmill or pedalling devices to keep employees active and encouraging employees to conduct "walking meetings". It is reported that Google has even created a new 90 m indoor running track at its London headquarters.
What's sure is that employers are becoming more alive to employees' health and wellbeing in the workplace and this looks set to continue in the future. We consider that it is in employers' interests to promote active lifestyles, as a healthier workforce should mean fewer issues for employers in managing sickness absence. The non-profit organisation ukactive has even called for the government to consider tax breaks for companies offering these perks to employees.
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