Fitness Tracker – Good or Bad in the Workplace?

Is a Fitness Tracker Really A Good Idea in the Workplace?

A quick look makes it seem like a great idea:- companies give fitness trackers to employees for free, and:

• Employees gain a free fitness tracker, and get comradeship and support from workmates to improve their fitness and health.
• The employer gains a healthier workforce with more energy and less sick time.

Employee wellness programs are the norm today, particularly with large employers. Everyone’s more aware of health risks, many people want want to be more active and healthier, and lots of wearable trackers are affordable. So it make sense that many people are using gadgets to track their physical activities at home and at work.

Let’s look at the pros and cons for from the individual point of view, and then from the company viewpoint.

Do You Benefit From a Fitness Tracker in the Workplace?

It could be a great way to improve your fitness and health, without the expense of buying a fitness tracker yourself.

But many people have concerns, particularly concerning teamwork and privacy.

Some employees have reported bullying by other participants in fitness programs. Some people need teamwork and encouragement to raise their fitness levels, others hate it.

Some other concerns cited are:

• What happens if you don’t want to participate?
• Should you have to explain why you don’t wish to join?
• What happens if you’re having a bad day and don’t get your routines in – will you let your team down, and will you have to make excuses?

And what about the privacy issues surrounding sharing health data with your employer? You don’t really have much control over what happens to your data. Many fitness trackers’ privacy policies are vague, and they change frequently. They may for example begin ‘We respect your privacy’ but end with ‘We may share your information with third-parties”

Fitness tracker sellers say the privacy risks are low or nil, because the data on activity, steps and calories may be given to employers in aggregate form. But you have no way of knowing if your details have been sold to other companies which then target you with specific advertising.

Some employees who were initially hesitant, agreed to the plan when they were offered benefits such as discounts on healthy foods or health premiums, or fitness coaching to encourage participation.

But it could be argued that if the discount is too steep, less-well-off workers may feel compelled to take part – even though they may have valid reasons for not wanting to, such as pregnancy or religious objections.

Despite these concerns though, it looks like more companies will use fitness tracker programs, and want more employee participation. It may be that employees may be may be subject to regular monitoring, and penalized or rewarded depending upon how they take care of themselves, according to an article in The Fiscal Times.

Is a Fitness Tracker Program Good For Companies?

The trend started in the US – partly because its healthcare system is built around health insurance which is a perk often provided by employers to their staff. It may be different in other countries – the UK for example has its publicly-funded National Health Service – but even so, the trend is growing worldwide.

Incorporating devices such as Fitbit into a company’s wellness program seems a no-brainer, especially as employers grapple with rising healthcare premiums.

One company called VISTA estimates that their exercise and fitness program decreased absenteeism, resulted in a healthier and happier workplace, and is saving the company money due to decreased medical expenses and increased productivity.

However, participation rates may be quite low. Staff who are already fit and active are rarely motivated to join, and those who aren’t interested in exercise rarely sign up.

In addition, it can be difficult to quantify how much money is really being saved the program.

Top executives need to get involved, and not just “approve” a new program, in order to ensure  ts success throughout the organization.

A lot of companies view fitness schemes as giving them a competitive advantage. By improving overall employee wellness through data collection, they may make workplaces better while decreasing unplanned leaves of absence.

Opinion

Although the benefits to workers seem obvious at first – a free fitness tracker and some discounts, there are valid privacy concerns. We are not in the habit of our employers monitoring our fitness levels, and it is a worry that it could be used as leverage.

I don’t believe anyone should be bullied into participating or doing more than they are comfortable with – although certainly it may encourage some people to raise their fitness goals even higher.

From a corporate point of view it seems like a good idea, but top executives need to be seen to be very much involved if it is to be successful, and a fitness tracker system may help only those who are already interested in fitness and health.

Personally, from a green and ecofriendly viewpoint, I am also concerned about the proliferation of fitness trackers, which seem to be almost expendable items – yet more plastic waste and precious resources used. But IF they help people get more exercise and even eat more healthily, then it may be worth it.

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Do you use a fitness tracker? Does your company have a fitness program? How do you feel about them? Let me know in the comments below.

Warm regards,

P.S.  Don’t forget to download your FREE juicing and smoothies recipe book here!

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