Walktober Workplace Challenge Starts Monday 25 October

< BACK TO HEALTH starstarstarstarstar   Community - Health Press Release
22nd October 2010, 06:29pm - Views: 997






Misc Miscellaneous Walktober 2 image

MEDIA RELEASE FRIDAY 22 OCTOBER

End of media release.

For further information and workplaces in your area: Janine Scott, Walktober Workplace Challenge

0412 509 025 or 03 9417 2210    janine@cause-effect.com.au


 

And they’re off...

Active Workplaces Step Out for Better Health

Walktober Workplace Challenge starts Monday 25 October


Next week’s Walktober Workplace Challenge will see close to 300 workplaces add more

walking into their working week.


Workers will take advantage of the spring weather to add walks wherever they can – by

getting off public transport a little earlier, walking at lunchtime or walking to meetings. 

They will earn points for every 15 minutes of walking and bonuses for starting new habits

like leaving the car at home.         


Leaders applaud the Challenge as an easy, low-cost way to get a grip on the bigger issue of

workplace health and wellbeing.    


“Our WorkHealth data shows us people may not be as healthy as they think and this could

be impacting on their quality of life, including their performance and engagement at work,”

said Greg Tweedly, Chief Executive of WorkSafe Victoria, 


“Many businesses have asked us what they can do to support the health of their staff. The

Walktober Workplace Challenge is fun and provides a great incentive for us all to get active

during the working week.” 


VECCI Chief Executive Wayne Kayler-Thomson confirmed the link between employee health

and productivity is now widely recognised, “Absenteeism alone costs Victoria $440 million

per annum.  By introducing programs like Walktober, businesses can make a big difference

to health, motivation and productivity.”


The Walktober Workplace Challenge is delivered by Kinect Australia, funded by the Brumby

Labour Government and championed by Minister Tim Pallas.  


Kinect Board Member Greg Johnson said, “We want CEOs and leaders of organisations to

apply their skills to promoting active living for their employees.  Walking is one of the

cheapest and easiest forms of activity for most people and provides some of the best

medicine to prevent chronic disease.”   


The good news is there are many more ways businesses can support employee health, such

as conducting WorkHealth checks, holding in-house yoga or fitness classes and delivering







news articles logo NEWS ARTICLES
Contact News Articles |Remove this article