Technological advancements in the workplace have greatly improved efficiency, reduced redundancy of tasks, and maximized output. However, an unfortunate consequence is that many job tasks in the modern workplace have become increasingly sedentary.
Hours at a desk, behind a wheel, or at a counter predispose employees to health problems, which lead to absenteeism, short-term disability, reduced quality and quantity of work, excess health care costs, and overall work impairment.
Because of their close ties to employees, business and industry can encourage positive physical activity behavior change in a supportive context of workplace policies and culture. By leveraging community resources and using health benefits incentives, business and industry also have an opportunity to reach families and the broader community.
A healthier, more productive workforce helps provide incentives for business and industry to pursue the following strategies:
STRATEGY 1
Identify, summarize, and disseminate best practices, models, and evidence-based physical activity interventions in the workplace.
STRATEGY 2
Encourage business and industry to interact with all other sectors to identify opportunities to promote physical activity within the workplace and throughout society.
STRATEGY 3
Educate business and industry leaders regarding their role as positive agents of change to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles within the workplace and throughout society, giving particular consideration to efforts targeting low-resource populations.
STRATEGY 4
Develop legislation and policy agendas that promote employer-sponsored physical activity programs while protecting individual employees’ and dependents’ rights.
STRATEGY 5
Develop a plan for monitoring and evaluating worksite health promotion programs.
