The United States is trying to battle it's most terrifying battle to date: obesity. Unfortunately, obesity kills more than the war does overseas. This can translate into how we eat, live and even work. Think about all the operational costs associated with poor health lifestyles: sick pay, reduced productivity, health insurances, etc.
Engaging the workforce to live a healthy lifestyle is not about imposing the idea to work out during lunch or printing a brochure that highlights the benefits of being healthier. It's about increasing accessibility to exercise and healthier meals.
To increase the accessibility to exercise, each agency can provide at home fitness videos in their facilities that can be used by employees at any time during the day in an open space. These programs usually have a very low cost and can be used by many at a given time.
To increase accessibility to healthier meals, agencies can farm their own sustainable products. Yes, farm. Here at Census Headquarters, we have a "green roof". It has very pretty gardening and even benches. But is it used? No. It's actually closed off from any access. In order to maximize this soil and the vast green areas adjacent to the parking lot, employees can start gardening their own basic produce. Salads and fruit tend to be more expensive than pizza. When paying at the register, the pizza becomes the wiser choice. If however, employees were offered the empty green areas to harvest fast growing crops like spinach, tomatoes, lettuce and some fruits, this can become a more accessible and exciting meal plan.
This minor investment can help increase productivity and reduce operational costs that come along with maintaining a productive workforce.
