Fit staff work harder and are more loyal

Healthier staff produce more work and are less likely to leave an organisation than their unfit colleagues. According to a new report, physically fit staff are more likely not only to stay in one workplace for longer but also to achieve a higher output during their time at work. Participating in physical activity programmes buffers the adverse consequences of stress, anxiety, depression, and therefore visits to the doctor and healthcare costs.

The research conducted by Standard Chartered Bank in conjunction with Sheffield Hallam University also revealed that unfit workers took more sick days and didnít work as hard as their gym-attending colleagues. One in twenty city workers have taken more than ten sick days a year, so the encouragement of physical fitness plans at work could help with continued attendance.Over 65% of city workers claim that their company do not offer them any type of fitness plan. This includes, gym membership, sponsored activities, company sporting teams such as five a side football and access to gym equipment.Almost a half of the respondents from London and the South East admitted that lower fitness levels impacted on their productivity at work.

Two in five also said that they had less concentration and were less focused at work because of their lack of exercise.More than one in ten people claim that free gym membership would be a powerful incentive to stay with a firm - this rates considerably higher than a company phone or a work social!A 5k fun run through London on Thursday 20th July aims to get the capitalís workers away from their desks and onto the streets. 5,500 City workers will run though Londonís ësquare mileí The Standard Chartered Great City Race, organised by London Marathon.

Standard Chartered is an example of the ëfit staff are more loyalí credo, with more than 300 of its UK staff having given more than 10 years of service to the bank. On 20 July, the bank will send 500 of its workforce and clients, along with 5,500 City workers to participate in a 5km run for charity through Londonís ëSquare Mileí organised by London Marathon. UK companies and businesses have been invited to enter teams of four or more for The Standard Chartered Great City Race.Phil Harvey is the longest serving UK employee at Standard Chartered, with 40 years of service, 4 marathons and a number of half-marathons under his belt.

ìBeing fit makes you feel better about coming to workî, says 59-year-old Harvey, who joined the bank in 1965. ìThe bank got me into running, starting with the company gyms many years ago, and then paying for me to enter marathons, and this has definitely had a big influence on my loyalty to them.î Olympic Sports Psychologist, Professor Ian Maynard from Sheffield Hallam University, said yesterday, ìThis whole area of employee wellbeing is a hot topic at present as evidenced by the Governmentís appointment in April of a new National Director to boost workplace health.

It is already unquestionably established that leading an active lifestyle through regular activities such as jogging and running leads to a greatly improved health status. What is now becoming known is that this improved health status has a positive and measurable impact in the workplace, and initiatives like Standard Charteredís 5km run will undoubtedly affect the effectiveness and efficiency in the workplace of all who participate, as well as giving them a more positive perception of themselves.î

ìThe Standard Chartered Great City Race is just one example of our commitment to health in the work placeî, commented the bankís CEO for UK/Europe, Brendon Hopkins. ìAlthough many of the participating runners will no doubt be among the fittest in the City, hopefully some of the less fit participants will be motivated to take up regular exercise, which is both in their interest and their employersí. Hopefully we will be doing the City a favour by our involvement with the race.î