Workplace Physical Activity Programs: Establishing an Action Plan
Before initiating your Workplace Physical Activity Program, summarize the information you’ve collected and plan your next steps.
At this point, you have
• gained reinforcement from management for the Workplace Physical Activity Program
• formed an Employee Wellness Committee
• assessed what is possible in your workplace
• found out what employees want and need in a Workplace Physical Activity Program.
Based on this information, you’re now ready to cultivate your action plan to boost physical exercise at your workplace.
With the Employee Wellness Committee, take the following steps.
• Combine the results of the employee survey with the workplace environmental assessment, and report to management and employees.
• Prioritize the possibilities at each of the “levels” (individual, social, business, community, policy) in the workplace listed in “Keys to Success”. For example, suppose a sizable group of employees show an interest in biking to work. Since these people may want to shower and change after their commute each day, you could give showers and changing facilities priority in your workplace. Bike racks could also be significant for making employees’ bikes secure during the workday.
• Consult the list of practical suggestions found this website.
• Designate a mission statement (one which aligns with your organization’s overall mission statement) to define your purpose and help guide your process. Setting objectives and goals will help you achieve your mission statement.
• Put together a plan or blueprint discussing what you have learned. Make program and exercise recommendations with timelines, identify resources and assign responsibilities. Revisit the list of tasks outlined in “Step 2: Forming an Employee Committee.” Seek management approval to move ahead.
• Once your initiative is in place, it’s significant to promote it to employees. Organizing a launch is a great way to do this. A formal kick-off also demonstrates management responsibility. If employees aren’t aware of the initiative, they can’t take advantage of it!
• Establish what you need to track to show that you have reached your objectives and goals. Measure these factors before you begin. This way, when you evaluate later, you will know if there has been a change.
