On National Fitness Day, we were all being encouraged to celebrate the fun of fitness and physical activity. As we know, exercise plays a key role in keeping us all healthy, both mentally and physically, but what difference would it make to your business if you gave some encouragement to your employees to be more active?
In a recent Employee Benefits survey (July 2018) 47% of respondents said that mental health issues were a major cause of sickness absence within their organisation. 70% of respondents also said that their healthcare benefits had been successful in improving staff health and wellbeing. And, 55% believed that they had a duty of care to encourage employees to get fit.
According to the organisers of #fitnessday, when fitness becomes a challenge we struggle to find the motivation to get those trainers on! It got us thinking about what you can do for your employees to help them on their own path to fitness, and in turn experience a healthier heart and mind, increased sense of wellbeing and an improved quality of life.
Support each other
Research suggests that if you exercise with other people you are more likely to stick at it. So, encourage employees to find ways to get together and support each other with their fitness, like a running club, either at lunchtime or at the end of the working day.
Create a space for fitness
Do you have space in your office to give over to a fitness instructor or yoga teacher to run a class in the morning before work gets underway. Great way to start the day and get the energy up.
Discounted Gym Memberships
Have you talked to your local gym about offering a discount for your employees? If you have a few locations to cater for then why not consider a packaged network of discounted gym memberships via Salary Sacrifice or Net Pay Deductions where employees can save up to 12% National Insurance. Alternatively, you may want to introduce a discount with an online gym provider where your employees can do the workouts in the comfort of their own living room.
Fitness Gadget Discounts
How about encouraging the use of fitness gadgets? They can help to motivate your employees to commit to their fitness goals. You could team up with an organisation that offers discounts on fitness apparel, activity trackers and even home gym equipment.
Fitness Allowance
Another way of helping your employees to get fit, but on their own terms, is to consider offering a fitness allowance. Let them choose what they spend it on, whether that’s Zumba classes, horseriding or crossfit.
Introduce a Cycle To Work Scheme
Give your employees the opportunity to get on their bike and get fit by joining a Cycle to Work Scheme. They can save money and spread the cost interest-free through their salary.
If you’d like help with sourcing benefits to help get your employees fit then please contact us today. In the meantime, round up some colleagues and show your employees how getting active can be fun!