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Safety and Health Practitioner (SHP) is first for independent health and safety news.
August 22, 2011

Employers advised of the benefits of workplace exercise

Employers can improve health and wellbeing in their workplace by encouraging workers to exercise during breaks, according to leading physiotherapists.

The idea is part of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s (CSP) Move for Health Campaign. Workout at Work Day takes place on 8 September to mark World Physical Therapy Day and aims to encourage staff to make use of their lunchtimes and breaks to get more active.

More than 150 physiotherapists have signed up to hold Workout at Work Day events, which range from lunchtime walks to exercise classes. The CSP is calling on employers to support the initiative and says there are a number of ways in which companies can get involved, including:

  • encouraging staff to take regular breaks and engage in physical activity during lunchtimes;
  • displaying leaflets and posters promoting health advice and activities for staff;
  • encouraging company-sponsored participation in locally-run sports events, like `walk-a-thons’;
  • creating links with local gyms and clubs;
  • arranging and supporting activities that help to get staff active (e.g. lunchtime walking club);
  • encouraging active travel to and from work (e.g. cycling, walking, running); and
  • making use of the free resources developed by the cross-government Health, Work and Wellbeing initiative (http://www.dwp.gov.uk/health-work-and-well-being) to help employers improve the health and wellbeing of their employees.

CSP head of policy Ben Willmott explained that regular exercise is a good way of helping prevent mental and physical health problems in the workplace. He said: “Some employers might still question why they should play a role in supporting employee health and well-being, but the business case is extremely clear in terms of reduced levels of employee ill-health and absence. €

What makes us susceptible to burnout?

In this episode  of the Safety & Health Podcast, ‘Burnout, stress and being human’, Heather Beach is joined by Stacy Thomson to discuss burnout, perfectionism and how to deal with burnout as an individual, as management and as an organisation.

We provide an insight on how to tackle burnout and why mental health is such a taboo subject, particularly in the workplace.

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