Intervention guidance on workplace health promotion with reference to physical activity

This guidance is for employers and professionals in small, medium and large organisations, especially those working in human resources or occupational health. It will also be of interest to employees, trades union representatives and members of the public.

Recommendations for employers include:

• Develop an organisation-wide plan and introduce and monitor an organisation-wide, multi-component programme to encourage and support employees to be more physically active. (This could be part of a broader programme to improve health.)
• Encourage employees to walk, cycle or use another mode of transport involving physical activity to travel part or all of the way to and from work (for example, by developing a travel plan).
• Help employees to be physically active during the working day, for example, by encouraging them to take the stairs or walk to external meetings.

• The guidance complements and supports, but does not replace, NICE guidance on: physical activity and the environment, workplace smoking and obesity.

• Other information

  • PH13 Promoting physical activity in the workplace: guidance (web format)

  NICE Pathways

  This guidance has been incorporated into the following NICE Pathways, along with other related guidance and products.

  Visit the NICE Pathway: physical activity

  How this guidance was produced

  Background information

  • Promoting physical activity in the workplace: review proposal consultation
  • External Appraisal of NICE Public Health Guidance
  • Press release: New NICE public health guidance on promoting physical activity in the workplace
  • Promoting physical activity in the workplace: fieldwork report
  • Promoting physical activity in the workplace: fieldwork report appendices
  • Promoting physical activity in the workplace: economic modelling report
  • Promoting physical activity in the workplace: final evidence review

Guidance formats

• Web format
• Quick reference guide (PDF)
• Full Guidance (PDF)