Why walking matters
The health and wellbeing of workers is becoming an increasingly important issue to businesses, as employers seek to increase engagement within the workplace in order to save money
An American report published in October, found that ‘employee absenteeism’ costs American businesses around $153 billion a year, and also causes a dramatic impact on engagement within the workplace, harming productivity.
The report recommends that employers address the rising trend of health problems amongst workers in order to increase motivation and decrease the amount of sick days taken by employees.
Chronic diseases cause 7 out of 10 deaths in the United States, and account for an increase in average sick days taken by employees.
These include conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer, diabetes, depression and other physical ailments
Most of these chronic conditions can be prevented, and with a well designed program, employees are able to make positive changes to their lifestyles.
Many businesses across America have introduced walking programs that have become increasingly popular, with 94% of participants saying that they would recommend it to a friend.
SKF, a global supplier of roller bearings, seals, mechatronics, and lubrication systems, decided to implement such a program to encourage its American employees to keep themselves in good health, and show that it cared about their wellbeing.
For three months the company trialled its walking program, using a USB-pedometer to provide accurate tracking of participants’ progress, as well as running competitions with other participating plants, and a series of virtual challenges including a walk from Miami to the Florida Keys and along California’s Pacific Coast Highway.
The results from the trial were overwhelmingly positive, with participants averaging 7,971 steps per day, well over the national American average.
60% of participants said that they felt healthier, 65% said they had more energy, and crucially 78% said morale toward the company had increased, with a further 80% claiming that camaraderie within the company had increased.
The results were so positive that SKF has now rolled out the program to around 40 locations in the United States and Canada, with productivity and morale continuing to rise. Employees and their spouses are walking around 1 million steps every 200 days.
As well as the clear health benefits, and the subsequent increase in motivation and engagement, participants can also win prizes like a tech toy or up to $2,500 cash.
SKF also make donations worth $6,000 to local charities for the top five SKF USA locations that have the highest average step or the biggest improvement in steps.
This scheme is sure to catch on across America, benefiting employees, the company itself as well as potentially making a difference to local communities through donations to charity.
With the number of British workers leading unhealthy lifestyles increasing, it could be an idea that British businesses may hope to emulate.