On the lookout for some unique, cost-effective ways to increase staffers’ productivity and morale? Look no further than your own office — literally. Staffers who exercise on the job are notably more productive than those who don’t. That’s based on University of Bristol research, which appeared in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management.
Here’s what happened:
The researchers chose 200 workers from three large companies, all of whom exercised regularly, held desk posts and considered themselves good workers. The study was held over two days — one day with an exercise session and one without. Afterward, all participants took part in focus groups and filled out questionnaires about the event.
The findings: In all three production categories of the study — mental-interpersonal, output and time demands — participants overwhelmingly performed better on the day with an exercise session.
Exercise is also a known stress reliever. So encouraging your staff to make time to blow off steam (walking, jogging or even doing jumping jacks) during the day may be all it takes to give a lagging department a much-needed boost.
