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Getting Started - Quick Start |
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Some workplaces have long standing and established physical activity programs for their employees. If your employer understands the benefits of physical activity and supports employees in improving their health through regular physical activity, it is likely you are ready to go with Stairway to Health as a simple add-on to your existing program.
There are 10 essential steps to a successful Stairway to Health Program:
- Measure
- Identify Barriers
- Address Barriers
- Set Objectives
- Design Program
- Register
- Promote
- Encourage
- Evaluate
- Communicate
- Measure
Measure current use of your stairs by observation, measurement and/or questionnaire.
- Examine Barriers
Try to understand the current barriers to stairway use in your workplace. Take a walk through of the stairways; have conversations with co-workers, and possibly hand out a questionnaire at the elevators. Barriers may include location, safety, attractiveness, attitudes, etc.
- Address Barriers
With the help of co-workers, or your program committee if
already established, try to address each of these barriers
through simple low cost strategies. For example, an unattractive
stairway doesn't have to have a full renovation as a first
step. A good cleaning by maintenance staff and posting of
some attractive posters
(in
accordance with fire codes)
will create a fresh new
look as a first step. Safety can be addressed through events
that ensure co-workers are in the stairway together rather
than alone. And attractive signage can help deal with stairways
located in inaccessible back corners of buildings.(Poster1)
(Poster2)
- Set objectives
Set objectives for the program and be realistic. Remember, successful programs generally result in no more than a 15% increase in stair use. However a 15 % increase can result in significant health benefits for your workplace.
- Program Design
Design your program based on the barriers to be addressed
and the objectives that have been set. Remember that point
of decision prompts have been proven to be the most effective
intervention in changing stair use behaviour (Poster1,Poster2).
Will your program be on-going throughout the year, a campaign
conducted over several months, or a special event taking
place over a number of weeks?
- Register
Register your program with Stairway to Health. Registering allows you to track, monitor and measure self-reported stairway use among your employees. Use this information to promote the program, profile successes, and measure progress.
- Promote
Promote your program to all employees. There are a variety of Stairway to Health Tools available to help create posters and other promotional resources that will help you promote your program. Consider a kick-off event to announce the program. Have the company owner or President meet and greet with you at the elevators one morning etc.
- Encourage
Support and encourage your employees through ongoing promotion, rewards, contests and incentives.
- Evaluate
Measure and evaluate the results of your Stairway to Health Program.
- Communicate
Share your results with your employer, employees, and to other workplaces via in house communication opportunities and the Stairway to Health Website.
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