Active Workplaces

Physical Activity in the Workplace: A Guide

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Active employees are productive employees. The tools and resources found here are designed to encourage physical activity in the workplace.

The workplace has been recognised as a priority setting for health promotion by the World Health Organisation and Australian Governments[1][2].

Efforts to increase physical activity the workplace have been associated with:

• Improved employee engagement and morale
• Increased concentration and productivity
• Improved team relationships
• Reduced stress levels
• Reduced sickness-related absenteeism
• Improved corporate image[3]

The Guide is intended to support organisations in the promotion of physical activity in the workplace and to reduce sedentary behaviour.  It is a collation of current evidence and best practice, including a toolkit of resources and audit tools.

Topics covered include:

• Recommended levels of physical activity
• sedentary behaviour
• barriers to increasing physical activity
• promoting active transport
• empowering employees, and
• making physical activity a cultural fit.

The targeted audience of this guide includes senior management, human resource units, health promotion units and workplace health committees.  It’s content and recommendations are applicable to small, medium and large organisations.