Work & Work out
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White-collar workers use their lunch breaks to play sports in a Shanghai park. [Photo provided to China Daily] |
Wellness programs and a recent 5.6-km run reflect a growing push by companies to promote better health through exercise, Wang Hongyi reports in Shanghai.
Like all other senior managers, Tu Ming packs his days with work, but somehow he always finds time to get some exercise.
"No matter how busy I am, I spend about 90 minutes doing physical exercises each day. It has been my habit for many years," says the man, who was born in the 1960s and now works for GE China as CFO.
In Tu's view, healthy lifestyles and adequate exercise are key to greater productivity and efficiency. They also reduce long-term healthcare costs.
"Our company emphasizes the balance between work and life. Guided by the philosophy of 'Health Ahead', pursuing health has become a lifestyle of employees. In addition to various health facilities in office, we also have many competitions and activities outdoors, such as dragon boat and badminton competitions," he says.
The company recently organized a Walking Day, which aims to create another chance for employees to exercise.
More enterprises are now pushing to improve employees' physical condition and adding more wellness programs in the workplace. That growing awareness was reflected at a recent running event.
In October, a total of 7,274 participants from 234 companies in Shanghai competed in the third annual race of the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Shanghai, nearly double the number from 2011 when the event was first held in the city.
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