Hillerød is the first municipality to introduce exercise during working hours

As we start the new year, all municipal workplaces in Hillerød municipality will be offered one hour of exercise per week during working hours. Hillerød is the first municipality in Denmark to introduce this offer, which will benefit the 5550 municipal employees.

Big investment in the "move for life" project

The municipality has previously entered into a collaboration with DGI and the Danish Sports Confederation (DIF) on "Move for Life". "Move for Life" is Denmark's largest sports partnership between DGI, DIF, TrygFonden and Nordea-fonden. Together, they invested DKK 100 million in the project from 2015 to 2018. From 2018 to 2021, the foundations will contribute an additional DKK 94 million. One vision of the project is for Denmark to be the world's most sports-active nation by 2025.

Introducing exercise in the workplace takes planning

By 2020, workplace managers will have to decide how best to fit the hour of exercise into the working day. It is up to the workplace to decide whether the exercise time should be spread out over the week or concentrated on one day. In addition, the workplaces themselves also find out what exercise opportunities are available. For example, joint fitness classes can be planned, a running or walking group can be started, or a gym can be set up if possible. It is up to the employees to decide whether or not to take up the offer. The idea of introducing this hour of exercise is to promote job satisfaction through physical well-being and to create good relationships with each other. Something happens when we move. It creates joy and energy and stress levels decrease. In addition, it will certainly have a positive effect on efficiency and can thus be seen on the bottom line.

Hopefully, this will inspire other municipalities to get more Danes to lead more active lives and create healthier workplaces.

By Josefine Huusom