Move@Work: Preliminary Reflections on Physical Activity Promotion in the Workplace in Five European Countries

The workplace is often promoted as a space for the promotion of active lifestyles, yet debates exist concerning the impact such promotion can have upon issues such as employee autonomy, the balance between work/leisure time, and the ethics of employer surveillance of employee health and activities.
Conducted in 2023, this study investigated the perspectives of 20 diverse European employers on promoting physical activity in the workplace through a series of group interviews. The research involved representatives from Danish, Dutch, French, Belgian, and Swiss small-medium and large companies. Interviews were conducted in hybrid format in native languages and reflexively thematically analysed. A Foucauldian theoretical frame was adopted.
Findings suggest the prevalence of narrow discourses of physical activity among companies, often equating it solely with sports or organized exercise. Despite this, the social aspects of physical activity were considered crucial for fostering new relationships, team building, and minimising the negative effects of social hierarchies. Company culture and values significantly influenced the incorporation of physical activities; flexibility, voluntariness, and supporting maintenance of a healthy work-life balance were highly valued. Some companies, however, feared compromising these values by prescribing and surveilling physical activities. Challenges in evaluating and monitoring physical activity initiatives in the workplace were also identified.
The study proposed recommendations, including promoting physical activity beyond sports, integrating it into daily tasks, aligning activities with company culture, and considering health and wellbeing as integral to business success. Findings contributed to the development of a strategic initiative for promoting physical activity in diverse workplace environments.