When Employees Work Out, Employers Make Out

What if employees took an hour off every day to work out? How much would that cost employers? Not a cent.  In fact, according to a British study conducted at the University of Bristol, employers would benefit from productivity gains in the general vicinity of 15 percent. Here we will do the math: If a one-hour workout represents 12.5 percent of an 8 hour day, the productivity gain more than makes up for the time out of office. The Los Angeles Times reports on the study, which involved 130 women and 80 men aged 23 to 57,  and found that in addition to improving efficiency, exercise improved mood and energy levels. Workouts ranged from 31 to 60 minutes (at on-site facilities) and consisted mainly of aerobics and yoga. The Times points out,  however,  that there is one small reason for skepticism: the productivity gains were measured and reported by the workers themselves. Read more.