- January 22, 2025
Poor condition, lack of physical activity and fatigue of employees result in a visible decrease in their immunity, which is connected with the risk of illness and thus the risk of absence from work. Their efficiency and creativity is also decreasing. Employers, who are aware of this, are increasingly encouraging their subordinates to engage in sport. One of the tools are incentive sports programmes. Employees point to them as an important added value to the standard salary.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that a sedentary lifestyle causes twice as many deaths as an overweight carcass. Lack of activity is dangerous for everyone, regardless of body weight.
- Undoubtedly, the physical fitness of an employee translates into his or her effectiveness at work. An employee who regularly enjoys sports and physical activity is above all more satisfied with life, which translates into his health, well-being and how he works. People feel fulfilled and build a positive relationship with their employer - says Joanna Skoczeń, President of the Management Board of VanityStyle, Newseria Lifestyle news agency.
On the other hand, workers who are not active and do not exercise regularly are more susceptible to stress, nervous breakdown, have more health problems and are on sick leave more often.
- Research shows that employees actively using sport are more efficient, on average by 5 hours a week in relation to those colleagues who do not undertake activities, who are at risk of depressive diseases, tired of everyday work and stress - explains Joanna Skoczeń.
For this reason, he stresses that employers should use tools such as sport and recreation not only to build positive relationships with subordinates, but also for the sake of their health and for their effectiveness at work.
- For the employer, these are the benefits of reducing the cost of sickness absence. Thanks to the fact that employees are less ill, the costs of replacement and implementation of a new employee can be avoided - explains Joanna Skoczeń. - Often an employer who offers sports programs for his crew is seen as more attractive through potential job applicants.
Employers more and more often use such solutions. They encourage their subordinates to engage in physical activity, among other things, through various motivation programmes.
- Offering additional motivational tools such as sports and recreation is no longer the domain of large companies. They are also used by small and medium-sized enterprises, and increasingly also by public institutions such as schools, municipalities and kindergartens, associations and foundations. These benefits are undoubtedly expanding. We try to keep up with our customers' offer in order to adjust it to customers' needs - says Joanna Skoczeń.
Sports and recreation programmes are intended for employees and often also for their families. Employers may, for example, use funds from the Company's Social Benefits Fund to finance the related costs. Beneficial systems guarantee access to many sports facilities of different profiles, located in different locations.
- A person who has a special identifier can use a full range of sports facilities in Poland according to their preferences and needs. Everyone will find something close to work as well as close to home - adds Joanna Skoczeń.
Both employers and employees praise this concept. The former gain a healthy, dynamic subordinate, while the latter - an opportunity to spend time actively and develop their passions at a convenient time and location. On the other hand, joint trainings can significantly improve the atmosphere at work, relieve stress, forget about conflicts and strengthen ties among team members.
