Step 1: Order a "thinkfit" resource manual from the British Heart Foundation.
This is a very useful resource manual which will give you all the information you need to get your workforce active.
BHF orderline number: 0870 600 6566. A donation of £25 is recommended.
Step 2: Ensure you have 'buy' in from senior management, especially HR and occupational health departments.
Step 3: Appoint a workplace "champion". Their role will be to co-ordinate activities and motivate staff to get involved.
Step 4: Do some background research. Before you decide what activities to offer to your staff we recommend you complete the two questionnaires below to help you find out what provision is available already and most importantly, ask your staff what they would like to do!
- Workplace assessment questionnaire – we recommend one person completes this. It will build a picture about your workplace. This is intended as a template only and should be amended
- Employee ‘needs’ assessment questionnaire – ask all staff to complete this questionnaire to inform you of their current physical activity habits, health needs, physical activity interests and their personal profile. To gain honest feedback, you may need to allow them to complete questionnaires anonymously. This is intended as a template only and should be adapted to suit your organisation.
Step 5: Once you have the results from the above two questionnaires you will be able to put together a plan of action for your workplace. Use the "office challenge ideas" and "activity ideas" sections (highlighted in pink to the left of this screen) to help you with your plan of action.
Step 6: To ensure continued support from management, use the Physical Activity Policy template to help you develop your own company policy for Physical Activity.
