Nearly every office I worked in during my corporate life there was always a bowl of fruit. However most times it was simply a token, and there was not much else beyond the fruit bowl to make me more healthy and productive during my workday. Is your company environment supporting to be healthy?

Now, unlike when I was working in an office, we know just how productive we can be in the office if are able to maintain a good level of health. It is estimated that around ~$30m AUD is lost for every 1000 employees per annum on modifiable health risks and chronic disease conditions [1]. So how can any company create a working environment to be more supportive to their workers, and in turn, lift productivity, creating a win-win for everyone?

Catering + Entertainment Options

Even I can attest to the lovely perks of an in-house kitchen and office entertaining at the newest restaurants, however this all adds up and despite being “work” can affect our waistlines and more importantly health inside our bodies. Revising menu options for in-house catering to options that are lower in GI, ensuring that after that client breakfast or lunch you don’t have a slump back at your desk. Alternatively, canapes at evening events can be reviewed to include more vegies, seasonal produce and not be deep fried or premade and reheated. Restaurant recommendations can be made which have a wide variety of options, with options for every type of diet and appetite. 

Facilities

Providing sufficient fridge and kitchen space, areas for employees to eat, whilst is may seem obvious, some offices struggle in design. End of trip facilities that are more than a small shower and a space to store your bike, iron your shirt and get changed easily allows those who want to exercise to an from work, or even during their lunch hour the ability to do it.

External offerings

There are some great subsidies some companies have on offer for employees. However when you are provided with one gym option at a discount, consider if your employees will want to get sweaty with their boss. Alternatively look to switch to a rebate for their gym membership, wherever they want to go, that way they can choose a convenient option that fits in with their personal preferences for exercising.

Employee productivity is more important than ever. As obesity rates continue to rise, this additionally affects employees productivity, which hits your company’s bottom line, [2]. Post lockdowns, companies want to retain staff and be an attractive place to work. Look to implement these small, but meaningful changes ensure that your employees feel that their workplace is supporting their healthy lifestyle and goes beyond the fruit bowl.  

[1] Street, TD, Lacey, SJ. Accounting for employee health: The productivity cost of leading health risks. Health Promot J Austral. 2019; 30: 228– 237. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.200

[2] Menon, K., de Courten, B., Ademi, Z. et al. Estimating the benefits of obesity prevention on productivity: an Australian perspective. Int J Obes (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-022-01133-z