An alarming 17% of New Zealand workers don’t feel like they have the energy to go to work each day, according to research. How can HR turn this trend around?
While most Kiwi employees consider themselves to be in good health, almost a fifth of them don’t feel as if they have enough energy to go to work each day, according to the Randstad Workmonitor survey.
However, 95% of workers believe that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is their own prerogative, with organised sport the most likely way for them to stay fit.
Randstad New Zealand director Paul Robinson said it was important for people to find the time to be fit and active and they should be open with their employers about the measures they’re taking to do so.
“Kiwis have always placed importance on being fit and healthy, and it’s no surprise most of us believe this impacts other areas of our lives. While many of us have busy schedules, it’s important we don’t use our jobs as an excuse to let unhealthy habits creep into our lives.
“Instead we should all be working with our employers to add these habits into our daily routines. Whether it’s playing sport, joining a running group or going to the gym, it’s up to employees and businesses to work together to ensure everyone is as healthy and happy as possible.”
Liam Scopes, operations manager for the workplace health company Vitality Works, said that working with employers to help improve the health and wellbeing of their staff ultimately resulted in a more productive workforce.
“We feel the most important factor is that the work environment helps, not hinders, an employee’s health and wellbeing. It needs to be seen as ‘the way things are done here’, rather than just a redundant policy that is signed off at senior leadership level, but isn’t actually part of the day-to-day running of the business,” said Scopes.
It could be as simple as promoting regular breaks, providing stand-up desks where possible and encouraging things like walking meetings.
“These things should become the norm, rather than something an employee feels like they have to do on the sly. It important to also back up the messages with actions – there’s no point promoting healthy eating, but then not having any healthy options in the cafeteria, or only having pastries and sausage rolls for catered meetings.”
Employers could also offer team challenges as a way to encourage healthy behaviour.
“We also know that when people are moving more often throughout the day, their brains are optimised for critical thinking and problem solving due to things like increased blood flow in the brain, and specific enzymes being released,” said Scopes.
How do you encourage healthy workplace behaviour?
However, 95% of workers believe that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is their own prerogative, with organised sport the most likely way for them to stay fit.
Randstad New Zealand director Paul Robinson said it was important for people to find the time to be fit and active and they should be open with their employers about the measures they’re taking to do so.
“Kiwis have always placed importance on being fit and healthy, and it’s no surprise most of us believe this impacts other areas of our lives. While many of us have busy schedules, it’s important we don’t use our jobs as an excuse to let unhealthy habits creep into our lives.
“Instead we should all be working with our employers to add these habits into our daily routines. Whether it’s playing sport, joining a running group or going to the gym, it’s up to employees and businesses to work together to ensure everyone is as healthy and happy as possible.”
Liam Scopes, operations manager for the workplace health company Vitality Works, said that working with employers to help improve the health and wellbeing of their staff ultimately resulted in a more productive workforce.
“We feel the most important factor is that the work environment helps, not hinders, an employee’s health and wellbeing. It needs to be seen as ‘the way things are done here’, rather than just a redundant policy that is signed off at senior leadership level, but isn’t actually part of the day-to-day running of the business,” said Scopes.
It could be as simple as promoting regular breaks, providing stand-up desks where possible and encouraging things like walking meetings.
“These things should become the norm, rather than something an employee feels like they have to do on the sly. It important to also back up the messages with actions – there’s no point promoting healthy eating, but then not having any healthy options in the cafeteria, or only having pastries and sausage rolls for catered meetings.”
Employers could also offer team challenges as a way to encourage healthy behaviour.
“We also know that when people are moving more often throughout the day, their brains are optimised for critical thinking and problem solving due to things like increased blood flow in the brain, and specific enzymes being released,” said Scopes.
How do you encourage healthy workplace behaviour?