Fitness counts

June 2010 Integrated Solutions, Healthcare (Industry)

Physically fit employees are more of an asset to an organisation than the average couch potato.

Jenny Reid, speaking recently at the Women in Business conference in Richards Bay, discussed the benefits of a healthy employee.

In today’s financial times employers often lose sight of the soft issues and focus on productivity and deliverables. Unfortunately only about 20% of our population are covered by some form of medical aid. Many of them are merely covered in the case of a dire emergency and day to day issues are not covered.

For an employee, often the stress of being ill is not only the illness that they have to deal with but the whole idea of getting assistance from a competent medical professional; the transport to get to the professional and then the cost of paying for the assistance makes them more ill.

We also know that internationally statistics show that only one in every three sick days taken is genuine sick leave. Sick leave is believed to cost South Africa R12 billion per annum.

Reid went on to discuss the benefits of physically fit employees and how this could enhance productivity. Companies often look to the skills training of employees and ignore lifestyle training. It need not be the full cost of laying out a gym which can run upwards of R200 000, but there are various mechanisms that can be used to encourage physical activity in the workplace or within the workforce. A healthy mindset with the organisation increases employee morale, improves the ability to attract and retain key people, while having more alert and productive employees. The workers’ physical activity and physical fitness had a significant impact on their work performance. More physically active workers reported higher work quality and better overall job performance. As physical fitness increased, so did the quantity of work performed. In addition, more fit workers needed to expend less extra effort to do their work.

When asked for specific solutions Reid said that there were many and one of the simple ones was that you could encourage employees to merely walk – the use of a pedometer is amazing and will just encourage people to be doing something. Exercise programmes that can be implemented in the workplace are also available for as little as R2000 a month for the entire company, but it does need to be specific to the needs of the employees and they need to be encouraged to enjoy the programme to ensure that it is effective.

As part of the holistic approach to employment practices employers are encouraged to implement employee programmes where they are educated:

* To be more healthy.

* To be more physically fit.

* To feel safe and secure in their work environment.

* To have financial advice and guidance.

* Have access to facilities where they can discuss issues of concern of a personal or work nature.

Reid again said that employers need to remember that the world has changed and employees are no longer delighted to be employed by an organisation but if employers show that they care and want people to work for them, they can achieve a more honest, ethical, productive and loyal employee.

For more information contact The Orange, +27 (0)82 600 8225, [email protected], www.orangebusinessboost.co.za



Credit(s)




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Background checks: risk levels and compliance
iFacts Access Control & Identity Management Security Services & Risk Management
Conducting background checks is a vital step in the hiring process for employers or when engaging service providers; however, it is crucial to understand the legal framework and regulations governing these checks.

Read more...
Insurance provider uses Net2 For access management
Paxton Access Control & Identity Management Integrated Solutions Healthcare (Industry)
BestMed selected Paxton Net2 for its access control requirements because of its simplicity of installation and ease of navigation for end users, as well as the 5-year warranty.

Read more...
The power of knowing your client
Ideco Biometrics Access Control & Identity Management Integrated Solutions
One of the most effective ways to combat the threat of fraud, identity theft, and financial crime threats is through a robust Know Your Client (KYC) process, which safeguards both businesses and clients.

Read more...
Managing identities for 20 years
Ideco Biometrics Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions Access Control & Identity Management Integrated Solutions IoT & Automation
Many companies are now more aware of the risks associated with unauthorised access to locations and sensitive data and are investing in advanced identity authentication technologies to mitigate these threats.

Read more...
Unique fire detection challenges in hospitals
Securiton Fire & Safety Healthcare (Industry) Training & Education
Africa’s healthcare sector is a growth opportunity for business as new hospitals bring better health for millions, and the fire safety industry has a key role to play by ensuring these long-desired new hospitals do not go up in flames.

Read more...
Cost-effective and reliable remote connectivity
Agriculture (Industry) Integrated Solutions Infrastructure
Companies that operate in hard-to-connect areas now have access to reliable connectivity due to a collaboration between MTN South Africa, Vox and Tarana technology.

Read more...
Advanced Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems
XtraVision OPTEX Technews Publishing Modular Communications Perimeter Security, Alarms & Intruder Detection Integrated Solutions Products & Solutions
Making full use of fibre installations around the perimeter by adding Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems means you can easily add another layer of security to existing surveillance and fencing systems.

Read more...
A critical component of perimeter security
Nemtek Electric Fencing Products Gallagher Technews Publishing Stafix Editor's Choice Perimeter Security, Alarms & Intruder Detection Integrated Solutions
Electric fences are standard in South Africa, but today, they also need to be able to integrate with other technologies and become part of a broader perimeter security solution.

Read more...
Using advanced surveillance technology as a smart city enabler
Duxbury Networking Integrated Solutions Surveillance
Smart cities are increasingly becoming a focus area for African governments and companies. However, the transition to these environments does not come without challenges, especially when it comes to security and resource management.

Read more...
SMART Estate Security returns to KZN
Nemtek Electric Fencing Products Technews Publishing Axis Communications SA OneSpace Technologies Editor's Choice News & Events Integrated Solutions IoT & Automation
The second SMART Estate Security Conference of 2024 was held in May in KwaZulu-Natal at the Mount Edgecombe Estate Conference Centre, which is located on the Estate’s pristine golf course.

Read more...