Bootcamps to massage: How SAP tackles staff health

The company’s employee and community engagement specialist talks about their health and wellness initiatives

At multinational software firm SAP, the health and wellbeing of employees is of the utmost importance, employee and community engagement specialist Irene Chui told HRD.
 
Chui said she took up her current position to make a difference in people’s lives.
 
“Having a balanced life is key to individual and organisational health and we strive to create a holistic wellness experience for all our employees.”
 
To improve employee health, fitness bootcamps are held every Monday. During these sessions at Hort Park behind the SAP offices, a qualified fitness instructor will guide staff through the circuit training sessions.
 
“There are also interest groups such as running, dragonboating, tennis and cricket held throughout the week,” she said.
 
“Anyone and everyone is welcome to join these interest groups, and feedback from employees has been very positive and encouraging.”
 
The firm also hosts Lunch and Learn sessions where employees can hear from experts on a range of topics such as proper running techniques, planning a will, preparing floral arrangements, and doing yoga with just an office chair.
 
“Every month, we also have Massage@Work sessions where employees can de-stress with a 20 minute massage. All proceeds go to the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped,” Chui added.
 
This variety means that there is something for everybody in the office, she said.
 
“We believe that healthy employees are happy employees and just as they are contributing to the business growth of the company, it is only right for the company to take care of their personal and career growth.”
 
For the future, Chui said that SAP was interested in introducing mini fitness corners around the office – complete with basic equipment such as resistance bands, medicine balls and dumbbells.
 
“This means that employees can incorporate fitness into their work day, perhaps in between or even during meetings. Fitness on the go will soon become a reality at SAP.”
 
Related stories:
 
How one firm’s employees walked six times around the world
 
Why pay employees to exercise when you can threaten them?
 
$50k grant for workplace sports programs

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