More smiles and fewer illnesses – more people should exercise at work

Ball games, walks, or calisthenics. Twice a week, employees at the Center for Disability Services in Lolland Municipality engage in a wide variety of physical activities during work hours. Together with six other companies across the country, they are helping to lead the way in workplace fitness.

“We’re building a strong working relationship with one another, and we’re developing a more positive attitude toward our own health and well-being,” says Kate Rossen, a special education teacher at Stormarken in Nakskov.

Clear trend

More and more employees are being offered exercise programs at work. In 2012, 15.2% were offered exercise programs during work hours, but that figure rose to 21.7% in 2018. This is according to data from the National Research Center for the Working Environment.

“People are happy, and they’re laughing. We’re having fun, and it gives us a break from our daily routines—a chance to recharge and get some exercise,” says Matilde Frimann Clausen, a teacher at Stormarken in Nakskov.

Six companies from across the country are participating in the “More Active Workplaces” pilot project, organized by the Danish Corporate Sports Association and Trygfonden. The goal is to determine how even more workplaces can introduce and sustain workplace exercise programs.

“There are some well-known benefits, such as reduced absenteeism, increased job satisfaction and well-being, and, of course, higher productivity during the workday. That’s one of the reasons we do it, but we also want to get more and more people involved,” says Kasper Kristensen, development consultant at the Danish Company Sports Association.

Beneficial effect

No one at work is forced to participate in physical activity during working hours, but according to Karin Maigaard, deputy director of the Center for Disability Services in Lolland Municipality, no one has declined so far.

“Employees are also welcome to play sports in their free time, but we believe that doing so during work hours helps foster job satisfaction. So it’s a win-win for us as an organization,” says Karin Maigaard.

According to the staff at Stormarken in Nakskov, the workplace exercise program also has a positive impact on the residents they work with on a daily basis.

"Our mental state and mental health have a huge ripple effect because we work with people," says Matilde Frimann Clausen.

Matilde Frimann Clausen’s colleague Kate Rossen agrees. “People can tell that we’re more energetic and positive,” she says.

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