The Surprising Link Between Workplace Fitness and Employee Engagement

When it comes to employee engagement, many employers focus on incentives, bonuses, and recognition programs. However, recent studies have shown a surprising link between workplace fitness and employee engagement. TTP plc’s new on-campus gym will hopefully make the most of this connection - it’s already proving to be a popular addition and perfectly complements our lunchtime sports clubs. In this blog, we’ll discover why health and well-being should be central to talent attraction and retention plans. Included are 5 budget-friendly strategies for implementing workplace fitness programs. ????

Multiple academic studies have found that employees who exercise regularly are not only physically healthier, they are also more engaged and productive at work. In fact, organisations that prioritise workplace fitness have reported a significant increase in employee engagement, job satisfaction, and overall performance. TTP’s new gym will help to realise these benefits and complement other initiatives such as sit/stand desks for all employees and company-sponsored fitness groups. Employers can promote workplace fitness and reap the benefits of a more engaged workforce in many ways. So, if you want to boost your team’s engagement and productivity, it’s time to start thinking about fitness as a critical component of your company culture.

The Benefits of Workplace Fitness for Employees

Regular exercise has numerous benefits for employees, both physical and mental. For starters, exercise has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety levels, which can significantly impact an employee’s mental well-being. Employees who are less stressed are more likely to be engaged and productive at work. Additionally, exercise can help employees maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Another benefit of regular exercise is increased energy levels. Physically active employees are less likely to feel tired or sluggish during the workday. This can lead to increased productivity and a higher quality of work. Additionally, exercise improves sleep quality, positively impacting employees’ overall health and well-being.

In his book, Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams, Matthew Walker states that “sleep is the single most effective thing we can do to reset our brain and body health each day—Mother Nature’s best”.

Finally, regular exercise can improve an employee’s mood and overall sense of well-being. When employees feel good physically, they are more likely to feel good mentally. This can lead to increased job satisfaction and engagement at work.

Statistics and research:

• According to a study by the University of Bristol, exercise can reduce stress by 33% and improve your ability to manage stress by up to 46%.
• Exercise-induced endorphins create happier employees. Research by the University of Oxford found that workers are 13% more productive when happy.?

The Benefits of Workplace Fitness for Employers

The benefits of workplace fitness don’t just stop at the employee level. Employers can also reap numerous benefits from promoting fitness in the workplace. Organisations prioritising workplace fitness have reported a significant decrease in absenteeism, productivity boosts, and improved employee engagement.

When employees are physically healthy, research by Stanford University found a marked improvement in cognitive processing - essentially, exercise directly impacts people’s ability to think - which is excellent news for both employees and employers.

Finally, promoting workplace fitness can help attract and retain top talent. In today’s competitive job market, employees are looking for more than just a job. They want to work for organisations that prioritise employee health and well-being. By promoting workplace fitness, employers can create a culture that attracts and retains top talent.

The University of Bristol's Department of?Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences, said conducted an in-depth study of exercise at work and how it related to performance. Their Research Associate, Jo Coulson, noted that "It's generally well-known now that there are many physical and mental health benefits that can be gained from regular exercise.?If people try to fit an active break into their working day, they might also experience the added bonus of their whole day feeling much more productive.?And that always feels good in our busy lives. The study also begs the question whether employers can afford not to be encouraging active breaks.?The suggestion is that employers who are ahead of the game in offering proper onsite facilities actually get less from their employees on days that they don't exercise."

Statistics and research:

• An extensive Danish study of exercise in the Workplace Danish found that; "In all job groups significant improvements were documented regarding health outcomes. These were job group specific: neck pain was reduced among office and computer workers, dentists, industrial laboratory technicians, health care workers as well as fighter pilots. Cardio-respiratory fitness—a health risk indicator for cardio-metabolic diseases—was improved among office and computer workers, health care workers, and construction workers. Additionally, other improvements were evidenced such as increased muscle strength and balance control. Importantly, productivity increased with improved muscle strength and decreased?body mass index.
• The University of Otago in New Zealand found that Employees who exercise regularly are 13% more productive at work.

The Connection Between Workplace Fitness and Employee Engagement

So, how exactly does workplace fitness impact employee engagement? It turns out that there is a strong connection between the two. When employees are physically healthy, they are more likely to be engaged and productive at work. Exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function, which can lead to increased creativity and problem-solving skills. A study published in the Journal of Exercise Physiology found that employees who exercise reported a 20% increase in their aptitude for creative problem-solving. Additionally, exercise has been shown to improve mood and reduce stress levels, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and engagement.

When employers prioritise workplace fitness, they send a message to employees that their health and well-being are valued. This can lead to increased loyalty and commitment to the organisation. Additionally, workplace fitness programs can help foster a sense of community among employees, leading to increased collaboration and teamwork.

The research:

• In 2018, The Lancet published meta-data research of Workplace wellbeing studies, concluding "...this systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that workplace wellness programmes can improve specific dietary, anthropometric, and cardiometabolic risk indicators..."

Strategies for Implementing Workplace Fitness Programs

So, how can employers implement workplace fitness programs that will positively impact employee engagement and productivity? There are several strategies that organisations can use to promote fitness in the workplace:

1. Offer standing desks or treadmill desks: Sitting for long periods can negatively impact an employee’s health. Offering standing or treadmill desks can help employees stay active and engaged throughout the workday.
2. Provide healthy snacks and meals: What employees eat can have a big impact on their overall health and well-being. Healthy snacks and meals can help employees maintain a healthy weight and reduce their risk of chronic illnesses. (The free lunches at TTP plc have proven to be particularly popular and provide unique opportunities for conversation and collaboration across the Group).
3. Offer company-sponsored fitness classes: Many organisations now offer company-sponsored fitness classes such as yoga, Pilates, or boot camp. These classes not only promote physical health but can also help foster a sense of community among employees. TTP’s lunchtime fitness clubs include running, yoga, football, squash, and touch rugby and have proven a cost-effective and popular addition to our well-being offering.
4. Encourage walking meetings: Rather than sitting in a conference room for a meeting, consider taking a walk outside. Walking meetings not only promote physical activity but can also lead to increased creativity and problem-solving skills. A 1-kilometre fitness trail encircles the perimeter of the TTP Campus, providing an ideal route for those head-clearing moments of peace or a more active opportunity to ‘walk and talk’.
5. Remove any barriers to an active lifestyle: Consider offering incentives such as the tax-efficient ‘Cycle to Work’ Scheme, installing a secure bike storage facility, providing a kit ‘drying room’, and installing showers. Whatever the barriers are, try to make exercising at work as easy as possible.

Whilst many companies cannot provide on-site gym facilities, Gallup (one of the world’s largest employee well-being consultancies) recommends helping “...employees find safe places to exercise,?and incentivise them to do so.?Not all organisations can provide employees with a place to exercise at work. Particularly for those that cannot, identify reputable and safe fitness centers in the area at which discounted group rates can be negotiated for employees. And then offer partial monthly or quarterly reimbursement to employees in exchange for proof that they’ve used the facility.”

Conclusion and next steps

In conclusion, workplace fitness is a crucial component of a healthy and engaged workforce. By promoting fitness in the workplace, employers can reap numerous benefits, including decreased absenteeism and increased employee engagement. Healthy workplaces also generate tangible boosts to productivity and problem-solving. Implementing employee fitness programs doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Employers can create a culture that values employee health and well-being by offering simple solutions such as standing desks, providing healthy food, and offering company-sponsored fitness classes.

The TTP Campus is a place where scientists, engineers and designers collaborate to invent and develop new products and technologies. If you would like to enjoy TTP’s fantastic facilities and employee well-being programme, join our team at: https://www.ttp.com/careers/

Further reading and references:

David Haynes is a Talent Acquisition Partner for TTP’s Health Tech Business Unit. He specialises in hiring engineers and scientists with an ambition to make a difference to patients globally through new technologies and inventions. Connect with David on LinkedIn here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/davidhaynes-talentacquisition/ .

The recommendations contained in this blog are provided by David Haynes and do not represent the official views or opinions of TTP plc.