The average white-collar employee moves a mere 3,500 steps per day – only slightly over one mile. Experts recommend a minimum of 10,000 steps or 3.2 miles of walking and moving per day.
Since 2005, Australian company Global Corporate Challenge has been combating sedentary lifestyles and resolving health issues by creating a team-based fitness challenge, using two simple things: pedometers and employees who have pledged to walk 10,000 steps per day.
Companies sponsor teams of seven employees (at $99 each) who pledge to track their steps for 125 days via inexpensive pedometers in an effort to improve health and employee morale.
In 2007, 24,000 employees and over 500 employers took part in the challenge and walked over 30 billion steps. This year, the challenge hopes to attract up to 70,000 employees.
A six month study, tracking four months in the program, showed a $3.26 return on investment for every dollar spent. Sick days were reduced by an average of 41%, and participants also averaged 10,500 steps per person – 500 more than the daily recommended amount.
The program "is bringing organizations together through communication, fun and obviously a healthy competition," says Robert Burke, vice president of North America GCC. Another perk? "You don't have to wear spandex," he jokes.
As employees log their steps, they join a virtual global marathon, moving forward in a journey around the world. At each log in point, participants can see real-time weather information, photographs of their "location, cultural facts, economic information and traditional customs.
Companies of any size can take part in the challenge. Small offices can sign up as a group, or large companies can form teams for departments. Global corporations can even pair up employees on opposite sides of the world, as employees log steps virtually.
The sign up deadline for the 2008 challenge is May 2, and this year's challenge kicks off on May 22. For more information, visit www.gccevent.com.
We challenge your organization to take part in the GCC. If your company is sponsoring a team, write in to McLean.Robbins@sourcemedia.com. We'd love to follow your company's progress in a Web exclusive series on ebn.benefitnews.com.
Want to more information? Hear Robert Burke in an exclusive podcast with Associate Editor McLean Robbins.
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