With most of the country in lockdown, motivation to move is vital.
It’s an issue that sparked our People & Culture team to launch a “10,000 steps a day for 30 days” challenge — starting today — in a bid to boost physical activity among Ai Group employees.
Other organisations and businesses are being urged to adopt similar initiatives.
“It started with the P&C team, who were feeling a little chunky,” Culture & Capability Lead Diana Zweig said.
“We’re all going ‘everything’s getting a little tight’.
“Obviously, our role is to take care of our team members but personally, we’re feeling a little heavier than normal.
“The team is located in Sydney and Melbourne so we thought we would share beyond our team and go out to the rest of the organisation to launch some initiatives to get everyone moving.”
Another idea, lunchtime fun and fitness sessions, start next week, giving Ai Group employees the chance to work out with a personal trainer via Teams.
“These initiatives actually get people moving,” Ms Zweig said.
“So much of our work at the moment involves people trying to be connected and that means video calls.
“Although you can walk and talk sometimes, if you’re focusing intently and trying to be connected in the manner of being in a meeting room together, you’re pretty much stuck at a desk staring at a computer screen.”
Ms Zweig said the response from staff had been enthusiastic and she strongly encouraged other organisations to launch some fun and simple initiatives or competitions to get employees out of their chairs.
At Ai Group, gift vouchers are up for grabs for employees who clock the most steps.
“Don’t overthink it,” Ms Zweig said.
“Just try something. Get something going. Your people will tell you if it’s not going to work but sometimes starting that conversation with them means you’re going to get some feedback.
“We have had a really great response, even from those who are like ‘I’m not sure I want to do this, but what a great idea’.
“It’s been incredibly positive.
“There’s a lot of research about how moving can help people deal with stress, anxiety and depression.
“We know that by encouraging our team members to be moving, we’re helping their mental health and their physical health.
“This is one more thing to stay connected but actually get people moving.”
Wendy Larter is Communications Manager at the Australian Industry Group. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a reporter, features writer, contributor and sub-editor for newspapers and magazines including The Courier-Mail in Brisbane and Metro, the News of the World, The Times and Elle in the UK.
