This is one of our first steps to focus on employers, who have an important role to play in supporting workers intentions to become more active. The Business Case for Active Living at Work will help employers become active about physical inactivity. We are calling on Canadian employers and workers to get together and develop policies and programs that support and encourage daily physical activity to, from and at the workplace, said Dr. Julia Alleyne, physician to Canada's team at the World Figure Skating Championships. Human beings were not designed to sit all day. We want to help employees get out of their chairs and on their feet.
Active workers are healthier workers and, ultimately, more productive workers.
Epidemiological data have established that physical inactivity increases the incidence of at least 17 unhealthy conditions, almost all of which are chronic diseases or considered risk factors for chronic diseases. This new Business Case Web site is great for business. For the first time in Canada, companies can turn to one source to get quality information on workplace active living, said Mr. Peter Ferland, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for Imperial Life Insurance. Workplaces should start focussing on how to start their own policies and programs. It can make a real difference in the lives of their employees.