As the first cold of the gloomy season strikes, the Couch?! team’s thoughts have turned to health.
The Couch?! are sure that we would be healthier if only there was more incentive at this time of year not to spend the evenings watching reality TV after a plate full of stodge or else heading off to a cosy pub.
Improved energy levels and the general smugness that comes with knowing you can do 150 sit ups without being sick may be incentive enough for some, but we were inspired this week by the story of a Finnish employer’s attempts to motivate staff.
Pekka Niska, of Helsinki, is offering his workers £115 cash bonuses if they can do more chin-ups than he can.
Workers who want to go jogging during the day can also take up to an hour on full pay, beside their lunch hour, and Niska also pays 70p for every kilometre they run after work.
The Couch?! reckon they could be up for a spot of marathon training on those rates.
Niska, who at 66 is apparently still a picture of health, said the health push may cost him money but will be worth it to have fit and healthy staff. And for their part, those who have taken up the challenge report greater energy for work, thanks to the fitness regime.
It makes the usual corporate discount at the local gym seem a bit lame really doesn’t it?
Motivational genius or madness? Share your thoughts by posting a comment below.
One Response
Pure Genius
I think not only is it motivational but also an excellent example of a socially responsible employer.
There will be probably be half a dozen postings regarding the potential discrimination against disabled people by this type of policy. But I’d say as long as they can find alternative exercise programs for those unable to compete in these exercises and reward them similarly then it’s a blinder.