Tech firms focus on fitness

Hyderabad: If sitting in front of a computer screen for hours together can become a benchmark for your productivity, it can also become a yardstick to measure your fitness quotient.

The sedentary lifestyle that automatically claims ownership if one works in a corporate setup, especially the IT industry, can be a potential killer. This has been reiterated time and again ever since technology tapped on our doorsteps or at our offices. Corporate companies, especially software firms, have always been careful about its employees’ health and gyms and indoor game rooms have been integrated in the design of many offices. But now, employers are going that extra mile to ensure that health and fitness become a top priority. 

According to Ms A. Mrinalini, senior HR professional and member of Telangana IT Association, software companies are focusing on the well-being of their employees now as never before.

“Companies are allotting separate budgets and sponsoring several initiatives in this regard. Apart from fitness training sessions, medical camps, yoga day, wellness day and retreat pogrammes have become a regular affair,” she said.

“Some companies are making infrastructure changes like fixing new work stations which techies can adjust, to work in either a sitting or a standing position, based on their convenience,” Ms Mrinalini said.

Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Deloitte, IBM, Infosys, Wipro, Accenture, TCS, Novartis, Bank of America, etc., are some of the top-notch companies that are taking proactive steps and health initiatives to look into employee well-being. 

Physical activity is at a minimum in desk-bound jobs. Staff sits in front of their computers or attends internal meetings and conferences most of the time. Even when they are not working, they are glued to their mobile devices and often work late into the night putting health on the backburner. For those who work only nights, over a period of time, their biological biorhythms also go for a toss. 

The sedentary behaviour reaches epic proportions in a workplace where productivity is defined by hours spent in front of the screen. Hence they are more prone to health ailments like obesity, diabetes unless proper precautions are not taken.

Some of the premium IT firms give an annual fitness allowance of Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 to their staff so that they can exercise or do yoga or aerobics to keep healthy. Alternatively they are allowed to use the money to buy fitness equipment. Companies are also making corporate bookings at their own cost, ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 per head to enrol employees in runs or marathons conducted in the city. 

Mr N. Ashok Kumar, a corporate professional, is one amongst many employees who appreciates the steps taken by the companies. “Employees can use these services free and relax from work pressures and stress. Also, these initiatives help professionals to stay fit and healthy”, he said.

“Employers are now really doing a lot to ensure that employees remain in good health. But it’s not a silver bullet that will help the employees unless they themselves are willing to do so. The good thing is that a majority of techies are becoming serious about health, fitness and good food habits,” said Ms Mrinalini.

• Rs 15,000- Rs 20,000
  Fitness allowance is given to its employees anually by some IT Firms, so that they can exercise and stay healthy.
• A growing number of companies are hiring the services of experts teaching yoga, Zumba and aerobics as well as nutritionists.
• Most techies have become serious about health, fitness and good eating habits in the last few years.
• Lack of infrastructure is making this a tough job. Corporate offices are not designed to hold fitness classes for large numbers of people.