Every day, British people can spend as much as 75% of their waking hours sitting down. The severe and harmful effects of prolonged inactivity, include an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes, cancer, heart disease and premature death. This has led to sitting being referred to as ‘the new smoking.’
Research suggests that exercise can reduce absenteeism by 23.5% and staff turnover can be reduced by 16% (BUPA, 2015). Absenteeism has been joined by the phenomenon of ‘presenteeism’ (being present at work but unable to be productive) as a top concern for HR professionals and business! It is now time to fundamentally change Britain’s working culture so that the provision of support and inducements to get physically active are as essential to the contract between employer and employee as annual leave.