Sport in the workplace is booming in France, profoundly transforming organizational culture and the way people relate to work.
Initially designed to counteract the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle, this practice has become a genuine strategic tool for companies concerned with the well-being of their employees.
Physical and sporting activities in the workplace play an active role in improving the quality of life at work.
Why sport at work has become a must
Sport at work meets several major challenges.
Initially designed to prevent the health risks associated with a rampant sedentary lifestyle, it is now fully integrated into Quality of Life and Working Conditions(QLWC) initiatives. Practising a physical activity in the workplace allows you to enjoy the many benefits of sport without having to travel.
The figures speak for themselves:
79% of employees believe that sport attracts talent. What's more, 87% believe that an employer who offers sports activities cares about the well-being of its teams.
These statistics demonstrate the crucial importance of corporate sport in modern HR strategy, and its impact on quality of life at work.
Sport in the workplace example: Initiatives that make a difference
Companies are vying with each other to offer attractive sports packages.
Sports programs vary from one organization to another, from the provision of facilities to the organization of group classes andsporting events.
Here are a few concrete examples of corporate sports practices that illustrate this diversity
Dedicated sports facilities
- XEFI provides its employees with an athletics track, a gym and a basketball court through its Health & Sport program.
- Kelio offers weight training facilities, soccer pitches and tennis courts adjacent to the offices.
- Casal Sport has installed a gymnasium at the very heart of its premises
The availability of sports facilities directly in the workplace facilitates regularphysical activity and sport.
Company sports associations
- Eiffage and its "Les Furets d'Eiffage" association enable employees to go running all year round
- Pierre Fabre offers no fewer than 92 sports through its sports association
- Veolia and Allianz go one step further by creating their own sports teams for inter-company challenges
These initiatives reinforceteam spirit through collective participation in regular sporting events.
Flexible digital solutions
Sport at work is adapting to new ways of working with digital solutions and innovative implementations:
- Applications like Gymlib and Urban Sports Club for "à la carte" sport
- Virtuagym for online coaching
- Sports coaches for group classes on the premises
- Organization of one-offsporting events with specialized service providers
The multiple benefits of corporate sport
For employees
Corporate sport promotes :
- Preventing musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial risks
- Improving physical and mental health through the benefits of sport
- Decompartmentalizing hierarchical relationships
- Creating bonds between colleagues and strengtheningteam spirit
- A feeling of satisfaction and recognition
- Better quality of life at work thanks to regular physical activity
For the employer
Companies that invest in sport at work and physical and sports activities benefit from :
- A significant improvement in their employer brand
- Greater appeal to younger generations
- Increased team productivity thanks to the benefits of sport on concentration
- Reduced absenteeism
- Strengthening team cohesion andteam spirit
- An overall improvement in the quality of life at work
The catalyst effect of the 2024 Olympics
The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games have created unprecedented momentum for corporate sport. Initiatives such as "Faites vos jeux en entreprise", supported by the Ministry of Sports, the FFSE and the MEDEF, are mobilizing organizations of all sizes.
This sporting effervescence is in line with the government's objective of achieving three million more sportsmen and women by 2024, placing sport at work at the heart of this national ambition.
How to introduce sports into the workplace
For organizations wishing to develop their sports program, there are several possible approaches to successful implementation:
- Assessing needs: Surveying employees about their preferences forphysical activity and sport
- Defining a budget: Allocating resources to match ambitions
- Choose the right formula: own infrastructure, partnerships, group courses, digital solutions
- Planning provision: Organizing the provision of space and equipment in the workplace
- Communicate effectively: Promote the range of products and sporting events to teams
- Measuring impact: Tracking participation and assessing the benefits of sport on quality of life at work
Conclusion
Corporate sport is no longer just a trend, but an essential component of the modern corporate project.
By investing in sport at work, organizations create a virtuous circle:
healthier, more motivated and more productive employees, in an attractive and caring working environment.
The provision of facilities and the organization of group classes andsporting events enable employees to engage in physical activity on a regular basis, strengtheningteam spirit and significantly improving the quality of life at work.
The many examples of corporate sport demonstrate that there is a solution for every organization, whatever its size or sector of activity.
The important thing is to take the plunge and make sport a real lever for reaping the full benefits of sport in the workplace.