Easy steps to boost employee productivity and help those in need
The GCC is entering its 10th year of encouraging often sedentary employees of large corporations to take the stairs, park further from the office, get off the train one stop earlier, take a lunchtime stroll or hold a walking meeting.
The four-month program drives internal health and wellbeing benefits that the GCC says can deliver up to a sixfold return on the initial investment via increased productivity.
The Melbourne-based organisation - which kicked off in 2004 with 2226 participants - now operates in 98 countries around the world and expects this year's challenge to involve more than quarter of a million employees.
Each will be encouraged to try to tap out around 10,000 steps per day, which for most people amounts to about six kilometres. Participants in last year's challenge averaged 13,500 steps per day, the equivalent of spending nearly an hour on a cross-trainer machine.
The healthy aspects of the challenge are well documented - decreased absenteeism, greater engagement, increased productivity - but the GCC has loftier goals than simply increasing workforce health.
It has recently announced a key partnership with UNICEF, which provides humanitarian assistance to children around the world. Money donated by GCC participants will be used to help establish reliable water supplies in Third World countries, with the GCC matching all participants' donations.
GCC chief executive Tom Sermon says the partnership with UNICEF was a natural fit. "There is no better associated brand or charity for us to be working with than one that prioritises health in so many countries around the world and has so many wonderful projects," he says.
Closer to home, good businesses are increasingly focusing on being seen as good corporate citizens.
"Nowadays when people are looking to attract great staff and retain them, they've got to be seen not just as the person who gets the job done, but how can I get the most out of this person and make sure I'm fulfilling them as an individual," Sermon says.
"When you get more active it's been scientifically proven that productivity increases significantly, absenteeism reduces. Our studies show the average GCC participant takes 41 per cent less sick days during the event and also two months after."
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
The Global Corporate Challenge (GCC) is a Melbourne-based organisation that runs a four-month corporate wellness program to encourage typically sedentary employees to walk more. The program promotes simple changes — taking the stairs, parking further from the office, getting off public transport early, lunchtime strolls or walking meetings — and tracks steps to boost health and workplace engagement.
The GCC runs for four months and encourages participants to aim for about 10,000 steps per day (roughly six kilometres). According to the article, last year’s participants averaged about 13,500 steps per day, which the GCC equates to nearly an hour on a cross-trainer.
The GCC reports several measurable benefits including decreased absenteeism, greater employee engagement and increased productivity. The organisation says the average GCC participant takes 41% fewer sick days during the event and for two months afterwards.
The GCC claims the four-month program can deliver up to a sixfold return on the initial investment via increased productivity. This is the organisation’s stated estimate of potential ROI from improved employee health and performance.
Since launching in 2004 with 2,226 participants, the GCC has expanded to operate in 98 countries. The organisation expected this year’s challenge to involve more than a quarter of a million employees.
The GCC has formed a key partnership with UNICEF. Money donated by GCC participants is used to help establish reliable water supplies in developing countries, and the GCC matches all participant donations. The partnership aligns with broader corporate social responsibility goals by linking employee wellness activities to humanitarian outcomes.
According to GCC chief executive Tom Sermon, companies that focus on employee fulfilment and wellbeing are better positioned to attract and retain great staff. Employers seen as good corporate citizens who invest in health and engagement can gain an advantage in recruitment and retention.
Investors may want to note that companies investing in employee wellbeing can see reduced absenteeism, higher engagement and potentially improved productivity — factors the GCC links to stronger operational performance. Such programs also support corporate citizenship and ESG credentials, which can influence reputation, recruitment and long-term value creation.
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