Dive Brief:
- As part of a healthier work environment, Canadian employers may soon be offering their workers more chances to stand up, stretch out and get healthier, according to an article at Canadian Occupational Safety (COS).
- Launching as a pilot in British Columbia at five employers before a national rollout, a new program, UPnGO with ParticipACTION, rewards Canadian workers for sitting less and moving more during work hours and at home.
- Through a digital platform and app, the program gives employees weekly challenges and personalized goals based on self-described activity levels and sitting time. UPnGO rewards achievements with redeemable points at an online store for healthy products, such as a Pilates kit, gift certificates to Mountain Equipment Co-op or donations to specific charities, according to the article.
Dive Insight:
For many global knowledge workers in general, work involves sitting down in front of a computer for hours at a time, with only 20% getting enough daily exercise. 62% of Canadian adults are overweight and the average adult spends 9.8 hours per day being sedentary, according to Health Canada, meaning it was time for action.
A new survey from ParticipACTION found 48% of British Columbians worry they spend too much time sitting at work, with 46% saying they spend too much time sitting in meetings. These sedentary lifestyles contribute to obesity and can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
The fight against sitting isn't necessarily new to the workplace, though it has garnered more attention as of late. A recent survey revealed that nearly half of U.S. workers feel they have gained weight on the job – largely thanks to sitting for hours at a time.
