1. Physical Activity
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
Benefits
of promoting physical activity in the workplace
Increasing physical activity helps people achieve and maintain
a healthy weight, reduce stress levels, prevent chronic illnesses,
protect against injury, and feel better mentally and physically.
Promoting opportunities for physical activity at work can offer
these benefits to your employees, increase their productivity
on the job, and boost morale and company loyalty. Best of all,
policies that encourage physical activity are often free, offering
a great return on investment.
Creating a New Physical Activity Policy
Incorporating increased opportunities for physical activity in your workplace is an important part of your
organization’s overall worksite wellness policy. Discuss with your Work Well Manatee consultant about
the best ways to implement your new or improved physical activity policy. Some common steps include:
Getting started
• Conduct a needs assessment: What is the current policy? What are the barriers to physical activity?
• Create a clearly stated vision and mission. Document desired outcomes of the new policy.
• Identify existing resources you can leverage, like neighborhood parks or exercise/recreational facilities,
staff members able to lead a fitness group or activity, and space/resources you can dedicate to
promoting physical activity.
Designing the policy that best suits your organization
• Think about what your organization needs and can accomplish. Start small if necessary.
• Use the sample policy provided on the reverse as a starting point.
Did you know?
Obesity and associate chronic diseases cost employers up to $93 billion per year in health insurance
claims. Fortunately, lifestyle changes can prevent these costs.
An enhanced physical activity policy can help your employees achieve and maintain
a healthy weight, leading to fewer sick days, less money spent for doctor and hospital visits, and
greater productivity while at work.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Alere Wellbeing

2. Sample Policy: Physical Activity
For your new policy, you may choose, adapt, and incorporate ideas from the list below.
Make Physical Changes in the Workplace Environment:
• Stairwells & Elevators - Create attractive stairwells and encourage their use through signage.
• Bicycle Parking - Provide bicycle racks at employee entrances.
• Stress-Free Zones - Provide spaces for employees to “recharge,” which may include mats for
stretching, simple hand weights, and exercise balls or bands.
• Publicize Opportunities - Develop maps of walking routes in the neighborhood (with distances
marked), identify nearby recreational and exercise facilities, organize walking groups and other
group activities.
• Meeting Movement - Incorporate walking breaks and simple guided physical acitivities like
stretching into meetings. Provide fit bands for stretching during longer conference calls.
• Walking Meetings - Conduct meetings while walking when feasible (e.g. when only a few
employees are meeting).
• Activity Breaks - Encourage physical activity on scheduled breaks through incentives and
physical environment.
• Dress Code - Encourage dress code policies that take physical activity into consideration.
• Shower/Changing Rooms - Provide private locations for employees who walk or bike to work.
Provide Incentives:
• Gym Reimbursements - Give partial or full reimbursement based on number of visits to the
facility.
• Fitness Rooms - Dedicate space on-site for a small fitness room; provide equipment.
• Paid Workouts - Allow 30 minutes up to 3 days a week for a supervisor-approved activity like a
walking club.
• Flex Time - Create flex time policies allowing time for physical activity.
• Paycheck Bonus or Insurance Premium Reduction - provide these incentives those employees
who log a certain number of hours of activity each month.
• Longer Lunches - Allow extra time for those engaging in approved physical activities.
Provide Encouragement:
• Sponsor an annual “Walk or Bike to Work Day” to promote more physically active commutes.
• Designate a wellness coordinator or team to promote physical activity at your company.
• Define a budget for wellness activities to affirm company support for increased physical activity.
• Create a culture of healthy lifestyles starting at the top with organizational leaders modeling
physical activity.
410 6th
Ave E, Bradenton, FL 34208
(941) 748-0747
www.WorkWellManatee.com
Worksite Wellness Program, Manatee County Health Department
410 6th
Ave E, Bradenton, FL 34208
(941) 748-0747
www.WorkWellManatee.com