Should Companies Allow Employees to Exercise on Work Time?

Abstract 

Employees’ workplace performance and productivity are affected by various factors. All workplaces are different and are affected by different factors. Poor health has adverse effects on the workplace performance of employees. Researchers have conducted studies to evaluate whether or not it is important to allow employees to exercise on work time. Different people have come up with varying ideas and suggestions, complicating the issue further. Some companies believe that exercising during work is a waste of a valuable resource, time. However, some seem to think in the positive line and they appreciate the need for exercise. Recent research shows that employees can make use of work time for exercise and still maintain or improve their productivity levels. Employees who spend 30 minutes per day on exercise are contented with the quantity and quality of their work (R. Holmes, 2015). Exercise has various health benefits to the employees including reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. Employees who use work time for exercise are likely to achieve a work-life balance that is directly liked to productivity and job satisfaction. Integrating fitness programs in a workplace help to reduce involuntary absenteeism rates. Exercises help to keep learning and thinking skills sharp by stimulating the body to release proteins that improve the functioning of the brain. Relaxed and happy individuals can manage stress and make useful decisions that can be relied upon. This paper aims at analyzing the benefits of exercise in the workplace to support the statement that companies should allow employees to exercise on work time. 

Should Companies Allow Employees to Exercise on Work Time? 

It is important to incorporate exercise in the only place where almost every individual will spend a significant chunk of their life. It is still difficult to convince some managers whose job is to sit and expect results from employees on the importance of allowing employees to exercise on work time. That is not only mean but also ruthless. Encouraging employees to exercise at work makes sense. Employees are likely to return from exercise more refreshed and focused on their work. The time spent working out is often made back by improving productivity. In a study conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine, workers who spent 30 to 60 minutes working out during lunch reported a 15 percent boost (R. Holmes, 2015). Sixty percent of workers indicated that their mental performance, time management, and ability to meet deadlines considerably improved on the days they worked out (R. Holmes, 2015). Employees in the study were unlikely to experience post-lunch inactivity and fatigue (R. Holmes, 2015). I believe that by a close analysis of the benefits of exercise, most if not all companies and employers will comprehend the importance of allowing employees to exercise on work time or perhaps understand why they might need to pay their employees to exercise. 

Physical activity or regular exercise has a wide range of health benefits. Exercise plays a vital role in preventing obesity and controlling weight. Exercise helps to burn excess calories from the body. Physical exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, blood pressure, and coronary artery diseases by strengthening the heart muscles and improving blood circulation (Ruegsegger & Booth, 2018). In some instances where an employee has chronic heart disease, they may opt to quit working and the company may end up losing an esteemed and productive member. During exercise, the body releases chemicals that enhance relaxation and general mental health (Ruegsegger & Booth, 2018). Relaxed employees can bring out more ideas, make sound decisions and even work for long hours without burnout. Exercises help to keep learning and thinking skills sharp by stimulating the body to release proteins that improve the functioning of the brain (Ruegsegger & Booth, 2018). Individuals with sharp thinking and learning skills can exploit and use all their potential for the benefit of the company. Exercise also helps to reduce employees’ stress levels. Stress impacts productivity negatively and any possible way of reducing it should be considered. 

Exercise has been associated with reduced stress levels. Physical activity stimulates the body to release certain chemicals that leave a person relaxed and happier than before they worked out. Stress causes emotional, behavioral and physical problems that affect an individual’s mental alertness, professional relationships, and energy (MayoClinic, 2018). Stress could also cause concentration difficulties, reduced productivity and lack of enthusiasm. Often, managers expect employees to return to their normal levels of productivity after stressful events which is impossible if no workplace measure is taken (MayoClinic, 2018). Most healthcare professionals recommend exercise as a way of coping with stress. Allowing an employee to exercise at work will help reduce stress levels and both the employee and the company will benefit. Relaxed individuals are always alert, able to concentrate on their work, and can maintain professional relationships with their colleagues, clients, and employers. More importantly, employees become more enthusiastic and satisfied with their job. 

Job satisfaction is an important factor in any workplace. Research shows that individuals who exercise are more satisfied with their jobs compared to those who do not (Wattles & Harris, 2003). Exercise enhances cardiovascular endurance which could be used to predict job satisfaction. An individual with high cardiovascular endurance levels have greater cardiovascular efficacy, concentrate more on their work, are less tired, and more satisfied with their quality of work (Wattles & Harris, 2003). In a study involving Xeron Corporation employees, cardiovascular endurance was linked to job satisfaction. After completing a 14-week exercise program, employees reported increased self-esteem, decreased anxiety and increased job satisfaction (Wattles & Harris, 2003). The research findings imply that aerobic exercises improve employees’ satisfaction and wellbeing. The explanation behind these findings include increased work capacity, reduced fatigue, reduced boredom, and relief from minor illnesses, anxiety, and aggression (Wattles & Harris, 2003). Sometimes increased job satisfaction is a response to the attention and concern given to employees by their employers. Job satisfaction has a wide range of benefits to both the company and the employees. Employees who are more satisfied with their job are more productive, loyal to their employers, and positive when talking about the services and products offered by the organization (Wattles & Harris, 2003). Companies with satisfied employees spend less money on recruitment and training and realize more profits compared to companies with discontented employees. Integrating fitness programs to improve job satisfaction among the employees would benefit the companies in the long run. 

Research indicates that regular physical activity increases energy levels. It might appear counterintuitive to suggest that expending energy in exercise will lead to a significant increase in energy. The last thing people think of when tired is exercise but being active for some few minutes could be the cure for inactivity and fatigue (MayoClinic, 2018). About 90 percent of sedentary persons who complete an exercise program report improved fatigue (R. Henderson, 2008). Exercise improves energy levels by releasing endorphins, improving the quality of sleep, reducing stress levels, and training the heart to work efficiently by getting more oxygen to the brain and other body organs (MayoClinic, 2018). Getting the best out of workers is critical in manual labor. Individuals with high energy levels have shown satisfaction in their job. Employees with high energy levels set high work standards for themselves which benefits the company or the employer due to increased production. If only companies considered incorporating an exercise plan for their employees, they would not have to complain about inactivity especially in the last hours of work. 

Physical activity/ exercise improves workplace productivity. Exercise helps to increase muscular strength which is important in manual labor such as construction. Workers’ muscular strength can be used to predict an individual perception of their work productivity. Maintaining or improving muscular strength enables employees to perform their assigned tasks with less or no physiological stress (R. Henderson, 2008). It makes the physical task feel less challenging. Muscular strength is more applicable in manual labor compared to other workplaces and productivity is assessed by self-perception. Exercise boosts productivity through alertness. During exercise, there is increased blood flow to the brain which can help in sharpening an individual’s thinking and learning skills and makes him/her ready for the next task (Wattles & Harris, 2003). Physical activity helps to improve the overall work capacity of an employee. Exercising does not only help in reducing body weight and improving cardiovascular health but also gives an individual the stamina they need to meet the physical demands of their work. In general, all the benefits of exercise such as stress management, increased job satisfaction, higher energy levels and improving the health of the employees are aimed at increasing workplace productivity which is the main objective of any company. 

Employees can improve their personal life through exercise at work. By using some work time to do a few exercises, employees can improve their work-life balance since their workout time is not squeezed into the already busy schedule (Susan, 2019). Employees can spend more time with their family and friends instead of working out. Socializing keeps the employees’ minds fresh, relieves workplace stress, and makes individuals ready for the next day. It is challenging for many employees to achieve a work-life balance. Employers should help employees attain work-life balance by establishing procedures or actions that will enable workers to achieve balanced lives (Susan, 2019). Work-life balance helps the employees manage their workplace stress. Individuals who spend the majority of their time on work-related activities at the expense of other important life components are more stressed and unhappy (Susan, 2019). Employees who don’t make time for self-care affect their productivity in the long run. Workplaces that enable employees to attain work-life balance are motivating and delighting to the employees. Happy employees whose work-life balance needs are achieved are likely to stay with their employers and are productive (Susan, 2019). Among other benefits such as paid time offs and family events, companies should allow employees to exercise on work time. 

Involuntary rates of absenteeism in a workplace reduce with increased exercise. Healthy employees dedicate all their energy to their work and are less likely to take sick days. Exercising for 2.5 hours per week can reduce absenteeism (Wattles & Harris, 2003). Imaginably, healthy employees are resistant to enervating illnesses which take a heavy toll on many workers. Flexible employees are less likely to be absent compared to inflexible employees. Lack of lower back flexibility is associated with an increased risk of developing chronic back pains. Employee fitness programs lower absenteeism rates by 22 percent (Wattles & Harris, 2003). Compared to the non-exercisers, female exercisers have 32 percent fewer sick hours (Wattles & Harris, 2003). It is expected that increased exercise will reduce the rates of involuntary absenteeism. Increased fitness results in improved employees’ health and healthy employees are not likely to be absent due to medical reasons. 

It is important to incorporate exercise in the only place where almost every individual will spend a significant chunk of their life. Exercise has various health benefits to the employees including reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. Employees who use work time for exercise are likely to achieve a work-life balance that is directly linked to productivity and job satisfaction. Integrating fitness programs in a workplace help to reduce involuntary absenteeism rates because healthy employees dedicate all their energy to their work and are less likely to take sick days. Exercises help to keep learning and thinking skills sharp by stimulating the body to release proteins that improve the functioning of the brain. Relaxed and happy individuals can manage stress and make useful decisions that can be relied upon by the organization. Employees who are more satisfied with their job are more productive, loyal to their employers, and positive about the services and products offered by the organization. Companies with satisfied employees spend less money on recruitment and training and realize more profits compared to companies with discontented employees. Workplaces that enable employees to attain work-life balance are motivating and delighting to the employees. Happy employees whose work-life balance needs are achieved are likely to stay with their employers and are more productive. Allowing employees to exercise on work time benefits the company just as much as it benefits the employees. It is, therefore, necessary that companies allow employees to exercise on work time. 

References 

Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress. (2018). MayoClinic.com. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/exercise-and-stress/art-20044469 Accessed on 25th October, 2019. 

Ruegsegger, G. N., & Booth, F. W. (2018). Health benefits of exercise. Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine , 8 (7), a029694. 

Ryan Henderson. (2008). Benefits of exercise in the workplace. Innovation and empowerment: SNU Research Journal, 1 (1). 

Ryan Holmes. (2015). Why it’s time we paid employees to exercise at work. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/why-its-time-we-paid-employees-to-exercise-at-work-2015-3?IR=T Accessed on 25 th October, 2019. 

Susan M. H. (2019). The Importance of achieving work-life balance and how to do it. Retrieved from https://www.thebalancecareers.com/work-life-balance-1918292 Accessed on 25th October, 2019. 

Wattles, M. G., & Harris, C. (2003). The relationship between fitness levels and employee's perceived productivity, job satisfaction, and absenteeism. Journal of Exercise Physiology Online , 6 (1).