Benefits of Walking for Employers

Health professionals, physical activity promoters and employers are now eagerly working together to develop creative workplace wellness strategies. Workplace health and physical activity promotion strategies are becoming more common as many organizations now see them as investments in long-term success and sustainability. Research has shown that successful programs benefit not only the employee but also the employer.

Physical activity can contribute to the prevention and treatment of several chronic diseases with few negative outcomes. Employers are finding that, by supporting physical activity in their workplace, they can:

• Increase productivity
• Reduce injury
• Attract successful employees
• Increase employee satisfaction
• Improve employee morale
• Reduce employee turnover and absenteeism
• Decrease short and long-term disability payments
• Decrease levels of workers’ compensation

(Spence et al., 2001; Health Canada, 2000; Shephard, 1986)