| Northwest Territories
Active commuting—walking and bicycling
- In the past year, 59% of Northwest Territories residents
walked to or from work or school,
or to do errands. On average, those who walk to commute did
so for 160 days and spent 40 minutes on each occasion.
- Just 24% of Northwest Territories residents commuted by
bicycle in the past year, and
they did so an average of 50 days with each occasion lasting
28 minutes.
Stages of change: readiness to be active
- Adoption of a physically active lifestyle occurs in stages
and involves progression and regression. On average, 37% of
adult workers in the Northwest Territories are in the MAINTENANCE
stage, and 39% are in the ACTION
stage. They have taken steps to become active in the last
12 months, and they intend to stay active. The third group
(17%) are in RELAPSE. They were
active at some point in the last 12 months but are no longer
active.
Physical activity—barriers and benefits
- Barriers to being active—Constant
tight deadlines (34%), lack of time due to work (39%), lack
of pleasant places to walk and/or bicycle (23%), and roads
that are too busy (20%) are preventing workers in the Northwest
Territories from being physically active.
Employees in the Northwest Territories are much more likely
than Canadians overall to say that busy roads near work are
somewhat or not at all important as barriers to their activity.
- Beliefs about work-related benefits
of physical activity—Adult workers in the Northwest
Territories believe that regular physical activity improves
one’s ability to cope and reduce stress (89%), to improve
productivity (90%), to help one to recover more quickly from
minor illnesses (85%), and to be more effective on the job,
for example by improving concentration (84%).
- Absenteeism—When asked how
many days in the last year they have been on leave away from
work because of sickness, injury, or disability, 20% of workers
in the Northwest Territories reported six or more days, 46%
said one to five days, and 34% reported that they had taken
no sick days.
Residents of the North are less likely than Canadians overall
to report that they have taken no sick days.
- Potential influence on recruitment
and turnover—81% of Northwest Territories workers say
that physical activity opportunities, programs, and facilities
at work influenced somewhat or not at all their decision to
accept a job working for their current employer.
When asked how much such opportunities influence them to keep
working for their current employer, 54% report somewhat or
not at all, 22% state moderately, and 23% say quite a bit
or a great deal.
Support for physical activity at work
- Fitness information at work
- 31% of Northwest Territories workers obtain at work
information on physical activity through a fitness or
health bulletin board, a newsletter or email.
- 34% report that information on where employees can be
active is available at their place of work and 35% report
that information on how employees could be more active
is also available.
- 25% report that seminars, workshops or training programs
about physical activity and disease prevention are offered
at work.
- Soft supports for activity—For
73% of Northwest Territories workers, smoking has been totally
banned from the workplace, which promotes a healthy lifestyle.
In addition, 58% have dress-down days or casual dress codes,
which may encourage physical activity, 40% have flexible working
hours, and 25% have group discounts or subsidies for using
local facilities like ski hills or fitness clubs.
Residents of the Northwest Territories are more likely than
Canadians overall to have dress-down days.
- Amenities at work to support activity—30%
of Northwest Territories workers have access to showers, 37%
have access to change areas or locker rooms, and 45% have
access to bicycle racks.
- Stair climbing at work—The
majority of Northwest Territories workers (83%) state that
their workplace has easily accessible stairs and 58% report
that their workplace has signs indicating the location of
stairs. However, only 16% indicate that their workplace has
signs encouraging people to take the stairs. (Actual use of
the stairs was not determined.)
- Occasional opportunities at work—44%
of Northwest Territories workers have access to recreational
events like golf tournaments at work and 34% have access to
team sports such as softball. In addition, 46% can participate
in physical activity events like Sneaker Day, but only 14%
have opportunities in the form of clubs (e.g., ski clubs).
Employees in the Northwest Territories are more likely than
Canadians overall to have physical activity events at work.
- Opportunities for physical activity
near work—65% of Northwest Territories workers report
that there are pleasant places to walk or jog at or near their
place of work and 65% report community recreation or other
facilities for physical activity (e.g., YW/YMCA, fitness facilities).
Additionally, 47% work near playing fields and 33% work near
open spaces for ball games.
Employees in the Northwest Territories are more likely than
Canadians overall to report pleasant places to walk or jog,
to have facilities for physical activities, and to report
working near playing fields or open spaces near work.
- Participation at work—Of Northwest
Territories residents with access to clubs, sports, or recreational
events at work, 50% reported participating in team sports,
physical activity clubs, or physical activity events like
Sneaker Day. However, of those having access to workplace
fitness facilities or rooms for physical activity, and exercise
equipment like weights or stationary bicycles, 50% reported
never having used them in the past year.
Residents of the Northwest Territories are more likely than
Canadians in general to report participation in team sports,
clubs or physical activity events.
- Fitness instruction or counselling
at work—16% of Northwest Territories workers report
that their workplace offers fitness testing or physical activity
counselling. The same proportion, 16%, report that instruction
in particular activities like swimming, tennis, and bicycling
is available at work.
- Fitness facilities at work
- 42% of Northwest Territories residents have access to
community facilities like schools and gyms through their
workplace,
- 20% have access to fitness facilities at work,
- 18% have access to exercise equipment like weights or
stationary bicycles at work,
- 13% have access to other rooms at work which can be
used for physical activities,
- 16% have other opportunities for physical activity or
sport at work.
- Fitness programs at work
- 29% of Northwest Territories workers have programs to
improve health, physical fitness, or nutrition at their
workplace,
- 10% have a group exercise program.
- When fitness facilities can be used
- 86% of Northwest Territories workers indicate that the
physical activity facilities at work can be used after
work or in the evenings,
- 83% report availability before work,
- 81% state they can be used during lunch,
- 87% say they can be used weekends.
Actual use of these physical activity facilities was not
measured.
- Who can access facilities?
- 93% of Northwest Territories workers state that full-time
employees can use the equipment, facilities, and programs
available at work;
- 91% state that part-time employees can use these facilities;
- 53% state that contract workers can use these facilities;
- 46% state that retired employees can use these facilities;
- 58% state that employee family members can use these
facilities.
- Employer attitude and support for
physical activity—Only 25% of Northwest Territories
residents say their employer is very or extremely supportive,
with most reporting that their employer provides little or
no encouragement (58%). Of those reporting no support, 62%
believe that employer encouragement would help them to be
active. Of those having some support, 69% think that such
support actually helps them to be active.
- Incentives and rewards for physical
activity at work—46% of Northwest Territories workers
can organize or participate in a community physical activity
event during work hours without pay deduction, but very few
report workplace awards, recognition, or other types of motivation
to encourage being active.
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