HFI promotes exercise programs

BOISE, ID — The Healthy Facilities Institute (HFI) is endorsing the development of exercise programs for custodians and people who clean for a living, citing both personal and professional benefits, according to a press release.

Companies such as Northern Gas, General Electric and Coca Cola, have all seen major health and business improvements after implementing exercise programs for employees, the release stated.

According to the release, some examples from companies that have implemented a exercise program include:

• Northern Gas Company employees who participate in the corporate exercise program take 80 percent fewer sick days.
• General Electric's aircraft division conducted a study during which medical claims by employees who were members of its fitness center went down 27 percent, while nonmembers' claims rose by 17 percent.
• Coca-Cola healthcare claims averaged $500 less for its employees who joined the company's fitness program, compared with those who didn't.

HFI recommends that the commercial cleaning industry consider the tangible benefits of exercise, which include both personal and professional benefits, the release noted.

Does your employer/company invest in an employee exercise program to promote a healthy lifestyle? If not, would you consider developing such a program? Why or why not?