Guidebook & Good practices
Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission, Move at Work is a three-year European project led by the European Federation for Company Sport – EFCS and accompanied by a consortium of 7 partners. It is the follow-up project of WAC – Workplace Active Certification rewarding professional organisations implementing physical activity for their employees.
This initiative aims to foster a culture of physical activity in the workplace by developing tools that highlight its benefits, supporting organisations in integrating wellness strategies into their policies, and strengthening workplace active certification. By adapting to user needs through ongoing analysis, we ensure lasting impact and healthier, more dynamic work environments.
Good Practices
Knee-bends in the elevator
Recently, a senior executive realised that while waiting for the elevator, many employees in his organisation spontaneously do a few “knee-bends” during this short waiting time. When it was proposed for implementation, management found it quite surprising but accepted to integrate it into their physical activity programme. Today, it is something you regularly see in this organisation! (Ixelles community)
Graz’s Posture Guidebooks
The city of Graz has provided its employees with several guidebooks on working postures. They are categorised by types of jobs or roles within the organisation and teach employees how to maintain a good posture.
Rīga Satiksme’s Activity Rewards
Since 2016, the company "Rīga s Satiksme" introduced an employee motivation mechanism that gives employees the opportunity to pick up the equipment they need for physical activity. Based on performance, employees are assigned points that they can spend on cultural or sports activities. If they participate in specific activities (e.g., in-house sports challenges, etc.) they earn extra points that can be spent on a gym membership or a licence in a sports club.
@Work: Connecting Employees to Fitness
The @Work platform is a support service developed by the French Federation for Company Sport that simplifies the implementation of sports projects. It is a hybrid digital solution that can be used face-to-face or online to connect sports coaches and educators to company employees, for them to organise regular physical activity, secure and supervise employees' sporting activities, and improve well-being in the workplace.
SIJ Group’s Well-being Research
At SIJ Group, a team of experts within corporate communications and the HR Department, involving a Happiness manager, carry out regular structural research to assess the needs and aspirations of employees regarding physical activity and well-being.
E-Run for Diversity Challenge
E-Run for Diversity is a connected challenge. Every day, for a week, tasks related to physical activity and sports are given to participants. They can join the challenge alone, in pairs or with all their coworkers. Participants receive points according to their performance in the daily tasks and their answers to daily quizzes. This event brings coworkers closer, whether they work in the same office or remotely.
Testimonies
“In today’s evolving professional landscape, company sports are emerging as a cornerstone of healthier, more cohesive workplaces. In the European Union (EU), where work-life balance and social cohesion are highly valued, company sports offer solutions that address both economic and social challenges, aligning with the region's cultural and legislative priorities.
The EU faces mounting challenges related to workplace well-being and productivity. According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, absenteeism due to poor health costs EU businesses billions annually. Company sports programs offer a proactive solution. Studies show that regular physical activity can reduce sick leave by up to 32%, delivering measurable savings on healthcare expenses and productivity losses.
Moreover, these initiatives enhance employee engagement and retention, a critical factor in Europe's aging workforce and competitive job market. Organizations that invest in the well-being of their teams are better positioned to attract and retain top talent, particularly among younger employees, who prioritize workplaces with strong social and wellness values.
Social cohesion is a core pillar of EU values, and company sports embody this principle. By bringing employees together across departments and hierarchies, these programs foster inclusivity and teamwork, reflecting the EU’s commitment to equality and solidarity. Additionally, they offer a unique way to integrate multicultural teams, a key consideration in Europe’s diverse and mobile labour force.
The future of company sports in the EU lies in innovation and inclusivity. In an area dealing with mental health concerns and an aging population, company sports provide a dual solution: promoting physical well-being while strengthening social bonds. By embracing sports and leveraging frameworks like Erasmus+ Sport, EU businesses can contribute to the broader goals of a healthier, more unified Europe while gaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
The Erasmus+ Sport programme is a key enabler in promoting company sports across the EU. By funding projects that encourage collaboration between organizations, local authorities, and sports institutions, Erasmus+ Sport supports initiatives that directly impact workplace wellness and community engagement. Its focus on inclusivity, grassroots sports, and innovation aligns with the broader goals of company sports, providing resources and platforms for cross-border learning and best practices.
Investing in company sports is not just a matter of employee welfare—it is a strategic decision for building resilient organizations and a stronger, more connected society. It is about playing for the greater good of all!”
“Developing a sustainable strategy for physical activity in the workplace can be a big and difficult task. Companies that take this approach build strong employee loyalty, create a pleasant working environment and a great team, and have high-performing employees. Sickness absence rates are lower than in companies without workplace health promotion, so economic costs are also lower.
Physical Activity in a professional environment is a real source of social and economic innovation that fits in with the deployment of CSR and Quality of Life and Working Conditions measures.”
Recommendations
Online course
The Move@Work online course is dedicated to company managers that are interested in implementing corporate sport strategies to promote physical activity among their employees. In this course, learners will be able to find out about the positive effects of workplace physical activity and get to know best practices from experienced professionals in the field.
Move At Work project
Partners
