Education Department employees -- including, from left, Jodie Bruun, Bec Campton, Lyn Metcalfe and Karen Jones -- have blitzed the opposition in the Global Corporate Challenge. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones Source: Mercury FITTER, healthier and more productive, Tasmania's education employees are on top of the world.
Department of Education workers have beaten thousands of international counterparts by being named the world's most active government organisation.
The 602 employees who took part in the Global Corporate Challenge aimed for 10,000 steps per day -- which could be achieved walking, running, cycling or swimming.
Four out of five exceeded the benchmark.
The average was 12,934 steps a day, far beyond the unhealthy 3000 of an average worker.
The challenge was attempted by 1200 companies worldwide, involving 262,000 employees.
Education staff beat 118 government agencies in the 12-month initiative, which encourages a gradual change in behaviour and attitudes.
"Employees benefited personally as well, 86 per cent said they now thought of exercise more positively and 67 per cent said they had more energy," GCC chief executive officer Tom Sermon said.
"Employees said exercise had decreased their stress and improved their productivity."
The GCC aims to help businesses and employees by ensuring they arrive each day in the right physical and mental shape.
Department corporate services deputy director Andrew Finch said staff who had done the GCC reported that they lost weight and felt fitter and healthier.
"There is significant evidence that healthy staff provide social and economic benefits to organisations and the community generally, such as reduced absenteeism from illness and injury, greater productivity at work, reduced health care costs and a more satisfied work force," Mr Finch said.
Tomorrow is the 15th annual Walk to Work Day, which encourages Australians to build walking into their daily routine.
No comments:
Post a Comment