Healthy Workplace Challenge

Full time workers spend half of their waking hours at work on 5 or more days of the week.  They will usually eat at least one meal and 2 snacks at work and as many of us are finding ourselves in more sedentary jobs, finding time to be physically active can be a challenge.

Simple changes at work can make all the difference to our overall health and well being.  The trick is for employees and employers to be part of the solution when it comes to healthy work places.  Healthy, active workers have more energy, improved job satisfaction and a better quality of life.  The workplace benefits from improved productivity, reduced staff sick leave, reduced staff turnover and better moral in the workplace.

Workplace Tips for Employees

Eat breakfast everyday.  If you don't have time at home in the morning then make sure you eat at work.  Good choices that are also quick are wholegrain toast, fruit bread, fresh fruit, low fat yoghurt and high fibre cereal with skim milk.

Keep healthy snacks at work. Good snacks include low fat yoghurt, fresh fruit or fruit cups, snack size tin of tuna and low fat crackers.

Choose low fat milk. Especially if you are drinking lattes or cappuccinos where the milk content is much higher.

Take time to move. Remember if you are in front of a computer all day to move around as much as you can.  Getting up to go and speak in person to a colleague instead of using email or the phone.  Standing up while on the phone and make sure you have a couple of stretch breaks throughout the day and if you have time try to squeeze in a quick walk around the block at lunch.

Promote healthy choices at work. Become a workplace health advocate by encouraging others to make healthy choices or providing a poster promoting good health tips in the staff lunch room or rest rooms.

Workplace tips for employers

Offer healthy food at meetings, functions and events.  If your workplace has a cafe or canteen provide some healthy options at competitive prices.  Identify healthy food choices in vending machines.

Make water the drink of choice by ensuring it is readily available throughout the day.

Promote healthy living through your communication channels, such as company newsletters and websites.

Promote cycling to work by providing bike racks.

Offer flexible work hours to allow for physical activity during the day.

Organise a special event to show you support healthy living like a walkathon or healthy BBQ challenge