From this article you will learn:

• How is the current condition of office workers in Poland?
• How does the activity of the employees translate into the operation of the company?
• How can the company support the physical activity of employees?

The aforementioned sports card is among the most desired benefits for 63% of employees — as evidenced by the Benefit Systems report from the Kantar and Minds&Roses 2022 survey [1]. However, the activity of employees has a much larger dimension and its effects on the company far exceed the satisfaction of the teams with the benefits received.

However, before answering the question of how sport can affect a company, let's take a look at the situation we are currently in.

Activity of Poles 2022/2023

As the aforementioned report proves, the years of the pandemic have had a decidedly negative impact on our physical condition. The surveyed employees reported problems with deterioration of physical performance (28%), complaints of back pain (24%) or weight gain (23%). No wonder, over the past few years we have neglected our physical condition. And while we're no longer confined to homes, it still hasn't returned to its pre-pandemic state.

Examination Sponsorship Monitor 2022, ARC Market and Opinion of January 2023, showed that in 2022, the percentage of physically active people was 10 percentage points lower than in 2019! Previously, the percentage of active people grew steadily — in a decade (2009-19) it increased from 24 to 74%! [2]

Did you know that... even “active” Poles are still people who exercise far too little. The latest MultiSport Index 2023 report shows that as many as 64 per cent of respondents who declare occasional walks as their only activity are convinced that this is a “completely sufficient” dose of sport.

Unfortunately, the effects of too little activity, even in the form of pain complaints, are still with us. It is not surprising that 47% of employees expect employers to increase their commitment to support physical activity and healthy lifestyles. Listening to these expectations is extremely important in this case. The good form of the employees translates into the good form of the whole company.

How does the company benefit from the physical activity of employees?

Activity translates into overall health, including resistance to seasonal illnesses. If we want to avoid high absenteeism due to sick leave, it is worth including the promotion of sports among employees.

Research leaves no illusions: regular physical activity of moderate intensity promotes immunity building. Regular moderate exercise for 1-2 hours a day reduces the risk of upper respiratory tract infections by up to 1/3 [3], and remember that they are the main cause of layoffs in 2023.

Did you know that... people walking with an intensity of 70-75% VO₂max for 40 minutes a day half as often as inactive people drop out of school or work because of a cold or flu? [3]

Interestingly, activity has a positive impact not only on issues related to physical, but also mental health (and this is a growing problem, as shown by statistics on sick leave). In the Kantar and Minds&Roses study for Benefit Systems:

• until 95% of respondents said that physical activity promotes relief from work-related stress;
• 41% say they choose this form of relaxation after work to relieve tension.

Read more about the reasons for absenteeism in the article”A healthy employee — what does your company gain?”.

Researchers agree that there is a correlation between physical activity and better mental functioning in the emotional aspect. The level of stress and anxiety decreases, and well-being improves. [4] The statement “in a healthy body, a healthy spirit” is therefore as valid as possible. This is confirmed by the research provided in the Benefit Systems reportAs many as 96% of MultiSport card users admit that regular physical activity can reduce stress levels at work. [1]

All this, of course, translates into the atmosphere in the team. Positive-minded, mentally well-groomed people endure stressful situations better. In this way, it is easier to avoid the emergence and escalation of conflicts and the work itself takes place in a relaxed atmosphere.

Sport also influences the integration of teams. As many as 30% of people surveyed by Kantar and Minds&Roses on behalf of Benefit Systems, indicated supporting company teams (team sports, relay races) as one of the most desired benefits. Companies should treat this as a good predictor — such initiatives serve the integration of teams, focused on achieving common goals thanks to sports challenges.

Read more about integrating return-to-office teams herein.

Numerous studies on the subject of brain function have revealed huge impact of physical exercise on cognitive processes already at the molecular level [4]. This is confirmed by the employees themselves:

• 93% of employees perceive that activity has a positive effect on their memory and concentration;
• 91% say that movement promotes creative thinking [1].

This is also confirmed by studies conducted among MultiSport card users - 94% of them admit that physical activity translates into more energy, motivation and commitment at work. The simple conclusion is that productive teams are those that have the time and the opportunity to actively relax. It is therefore in the employer's best interest to promote such a lifestyle.

How to promote activity among employees?

1. Support for own initiatives

Support of individual sports activities indicated as one of the most desired benefits as many as 45% of employeesaccording to a report by Benefit Systems. It's definitely worth doing. And in all sorts of ways. The company can donate equipment or company shirts to its “athletes”, celebrate their successes through an intranet or provide contact with a personal trainer (This option includes, among other things, the MultiLife benefit).

2. Creation of actions and programs

Corporate “days” are an ideal way to promote certain types of activities — trainings, webinars, competitions with prizes, but also the transmission of knowledge through posters or internal mailings — all of which will work in promoting a healthy lifestyle. It is also possible to encourage the measurement of not only sports parameters (e.g. kilometers traveled in a given month), but also health parameters, e.g. by sharing diagnostic test packages (which is also provided by MultiLife).

3. Online courses

Available benefits make it easy to promote activity — A whole range of free courses has been developed for MultiSport cardholders, providing an additional incentive to discover new ways to get fit and live a healthier life. When accessing MultiLife, employees no longer only receive courses, but also useful applications (such as e.g. Foculs). In a simple way, they can expand their knowledge, control their diet, promote activities, or discover how to change their lifestyle to weave healthy habits into it.

4. Access to specialists

Fortunately, this point does not mean that the company must create a vacancy for a personal trainer or nutritionist. Such a solution, even if ultimately very effective, would simply be unprofitable. However, this need was recognized by the creators of the MultiLife benefit, which also provides access to Consultation with a nutritionist (in a convenient online form). You can also here make an appointment for an interview with a psychologist Sometimes the reluctance to take action can be part of a wider problem. Such more complex causes undoubtedly include obesity, and thanks to MultiLife you can use unlimited teleprompts from both internists and specialists in the treatment of obesity.

There are many more ways to promote sports activity in the company — but it is worth choosing them, listening to the voice of the employees themselves. As studies show, they themselves willingly pay attention to the need for movement and ways to improve their condition. It is worth meeting them for the good of the whole company.

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Bibliography:

1. Benefit Systems report “Tired, indifferent, unengaged. Post-pandemic employee needs” 2022.
2. situ https://arc.com.pl/polacy-mniej-aktywni-fizycznie/.
3. situ https://ncez.pzh.gov.pl/aktywnosc-fizyczna/aktywnosc-fizyczna-a-odpornosc-organizmu/.
4. situ https://www.monz.pl/pdf-112259-42310?filename=Effect%20of%20physical.pdf.