The Impact of Implementing Active Breaks on Employees

Workplace health promotion is becoming increasingly established in Slovenia as well. Many companies have already introduced activities in this area, and many are already observing the benefits – fewer sick leave absences, greater employee motivation, better communication, higher productivity, etc. A survey questionnaire is presented on how the introduction of active breaks in company x affected employees. The results of the survey questionnaire showed that more than half of the employees in the company were already familiar with workplace health promotion. All employees participated in the active break, and the introduction of active breaks motivated more than half of the employees to change their lifestyle (more physical activity).

Problem

Workplace health promotion is becoming increasingly established in Slovenia as well. Many companies have already introduced activities in this area, and many are already observing the benefits – fewer sick leave absences, greater employee motivation, better communication, higher productivity, etc. The diploma thesis presents only one of the many segments of workplace health promotion, namely the active break.

An active break means an organised short interruption of the work process with the aim of performing some stretching physical exercises.

Solution and Method

A survey questionnaire is presented on how the introduction of active breaks in company x affected employees.

Results

The results of the survey questionnaire showed that more than half of the employees in the company were already familiar with workplace health promotion. All employees participated in the active break, and the introduction of active breaks motivated more than half of the employees to change their lifestyle (more physical activity). More than half of the respondents noticed positive effects of implementing active breaks in the physical and psychological areas: they also noticed positive changes in the workplace – better communication with colleagues and clients, greater motivation and greater satisfaction with the work performed.

Employees assess that they had fewer sick leave absences due to the implementation of active breaks in the workplace, and all would recommend the implementation of active breaks in the workplace to others as well. Good health is the foundation for a successful life and work both for the individual and for the organisation. Taking care of maintaining and improving the health of employees is sensible, as healthy and satisfied employees who work in a safe and stimulating work environment are more productive and creative.

An employer who provides a healthy and stimulating work environment also finds it easier to employ higher-quality staff and gains in public reputation. Many companies are noticing negative effects on employees due to stress, which is not talked about much. Organisations sometimes did not deal with these problems until the effects of stress began to show, which were no longer good for the company and its reputation.

With the help of active breaks, employee stress in the organisation is also reduced, as they have a positive effect on employee relationships and their work, which is why organisational managers are increasingly engaging in health promotion.