Active Workplace Suggestions

Active Workplace Benchmark

Transportation

Company travel reimbursement policies that reimburse bicycle or public transport mileage for business trips when these modes are comparable in speed to driving, rather than only reimbursing car or taxi mileage.

Commuter subsidy allocated on frequency of use of alternative travel modes with greatest subsidy assistance to meet costs of more active transport modes. Ernst & Young 2001.

Provision, maintenance and promotion of fleet bikes available for commuting or recreational rides.

Rideshare with Guaranteed Ride Home Programme travel reimbursement for rideshare, public transport or active transport participants who must return home in an emergency or where extreme weather prevents normal travel alternatives.


Around the Office

Food provision like a fruit bowl located at various sites within the office with an honesty box. Fruit costs 50c per piece. Alternatives could include all staff being entitled to one lunch per week of salads and other nutritious food groups. Chapman Tripp Sheffield Young 2002.

Equipment provision could include exercycles or a small corporate gym with nominal membership fee for staff and other building tenants. IRD 2002.

Service Provision like a corporate physical activity trainer available for phone support and lunch time activity sessions for groups could include lunch-time yoga/pilates classes. Quotable Value, 2005 and IRD 2002.

8. Staff discounts for gyms, fitness centres, health studios and local retailers. Ford Motor Company 2002.

9. Stairs for Health point of decision posters, incentives and or rewards for frequent stair climbers. Can include stairwell spot prizes for staff and visitors. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/sth-evs/english/downloads/index.htm

10. Active living incentives or spot prizes such as Council dollars (vouchers) which employees can trade in for active apparel, event entry or magazine subscriptions. Employees may combine vouchers to collectively fund a piece of equipment or shared active living resource.

11. Rooftop garden or community garden which people can use in return for a minimum of weekly garden maintenance.

12. Community fund raising where staff are able to trade in work time in order to help to raise funds to develop a community resource like a new park, facility, or playground that will benefit a neighborhood.

Source, A New Zealand Policy organisation