Advantage: Sports in the Workplace
In the workplace the benefits of active employees is undeniable. A study at Bristol University showed that employees who can exercise at work are more productive, happy, efficient and calm. Plus, working out with someone else has been proven to help you stay committed and can also help a team to bond.
“At Wiggle we are passionate about sport. It is central to our brand" says Harvey Bennett, Group Chief Marketing and Sales Officer. “We actively encourage participation eg. we sponsor some of our own colleagues and provide kit to 'Team Wiggle', we encourage our colleagues to try new equipment and write blogs etc… We also provide bike sheds, lockers, changing and drying facilities to encourage sport before and after work. What we’ve found is that our colleagues now organise their own group sporting activities via our internal social media – from Thursday afternoon rides to pre-work runs and even cycling holidays in the Alps. This all helps to strengthen our team spirit and makes a real difference to the business.”
Even companies that are less overtly sport-centric can reap the benefits of encouraging their employees to stay active and build team spirit outside the office.
Zoe Cruice, interim HR Director at Centrica Consumer, points to the energy giant's history of sponsoring sport and encouraging participation in physical activities while remaining inclusive. For some, the thought of imposed activities will bring back painful memories of cold winter mornings on the running field at school. "For every team bike ride, be sure to organise a bake off."
'ACTAVISTIC' SOLUTIONS
According to a report this year by the British Heart Foundation 20 million people in the UK are physically inactive. With 60% of our day spent at work they aim to encourage employers to introduce initiatives like 'e-mail free' days. For example, once a week staff would be forced to leave their desks to go and communicate with colleagues rather than send an internal e-mail.
SPORTS SPONSORSHIP
We found that 60 of the FTSE100 have been significantly involved in sports sponsorship within recent years.
As well as offering great visibility to their brands, sponsorship allows businesses to give something back to sport and, by extension, to a more cohesive society.
And the money they provide may well go to supporting the next Jo Konta – who can in turn raise the profile of the sport and indeed the brand.
We wish Jo all the best for the coming season and look forward to seeing her again at SW19 next year.
Roger, meanwhile, continues to amaze us all.
WAYS TO INTERGRATE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE INTO THE WORK ENVIRONMENT
ENCOURAGE A HEALTHY COMMUTE
COMPANIES LEADING THE WAY:
Google’s Silicon Valley site boasts a fleet of thirteen hundred primary coloured bicycles which employees are free to use to cycle to work or from shuttle bus stops across the campus.
HOST ACTIVE CLASSES
COMPANIES LEADING THE WAY:
Desigual employees can swim, paddle surf, practice running, yoga or pilates before work, and shower prior to starting their day.
Active Breaks
COMPANIES LEADING THE WAY:
Wiggle's team members often take holidays together due to a mutual interest in a particular sport which they organise via an internal social media platform.
An Office Dog
COMPANIES LEADING THE WAY:
Nestle's HQ in London allows employees to bring their dogs to work because they say it promotes a less stressful office and encourages more exercise and a healthier work-life blend.