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Yukon
Active commuting—walking and bicycling
- In the past year, 49% of Yukon residents walked to or from work or school, or to do errands.
On average, those who walk to commute did so for 140 days
and spent 34 minutes on each occasion.
- Just 21% of Yukon residents commuted by bicycle in the past year, and they did so an average
of 60 days with each occasion lasting 32 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
Yukon adult workers are in the MAINTENANCE
stage, and 47% are in the ACTION
stage. They have taken steps to become active in the last
12 months, and they intend to stay active.
- Residents in the Yukon are more likely to be in the action
stage than Canadians generally.
Physical activity—barriers and benefits
- Barriers to being active—Constant
tight deadlines (29%) and lack of time due to work (36%) are
preventing Yukon adults from being physically active.
Employees in the Yukon 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 Yukon believe
that regular physical activity improves one’s ability to cope
and reduce stress (89%), to improve productivity (92%), to
help one to recover more quickly from minor illnesses (91%),
and to be more effective on the job, for example by improving
concentration (87%).
- Absenteeism—When asked how many
days in the last year they have been on leave away from work
because of sickness, injury, or disability, 48% of Yukon workers
reported one to five days, and 35% 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—92% of Yukon 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, 58% report somewhat or
not at all, and 25% state moderately.
Support for physical activity at work
- Fitness information at work
- 27% of Yukon workers obtain at work information on physical
activity through a fitness or health bulletin board, a
newsletter or email.
- 37% report that information on where employees can be
active is available at their place of work and 36% report
that information on how employees could be more active
is also available.
- 27% report that seminars, workshops or training programs
about physical activity and disease prevention are offered
at work.
- Soft supports for activity—For
67% of Yukon workers, smoking has been totally banned from
the workplace, which promotes a healthy lifestyle. In addition,
52% have dress-down days or casual dress codes, which may
encourage physical activity, 43% have flexible working hours,
and 28% have group discounts or subsidies for using local
facilities like ski hills or fitness clubs.
- Amenities at work to support activity—33%
of Yukon workers have access to showers, 33% have access to
change areas or locker rooms, and 46% have access to bicycle
racks.
- Stair climbing at work—The majority
of Yukon workers (81%) state that their workplace has easily
accessible stairs and 45% report that their workplace has
signs indicating the location of stairs.
- Occasional opportunities at work—39%
of Yukon workers have access to recreational events like golf
tournaments at work, and 37% can participate in physical activity
events like Sneaker Day.
Employees in the Yukon are more likely than Canadians overall
to have physical activity events at work.
- Opportunities for physical activity
near work—71% of Yukon workers report that there are
pleasant places to walk or jog at or near their place of work
and 43% report community recreation or other facilities for
physical activity (e.g., YW/YMCA, fitness facilities). Additionally,
38% work near playing fields and 26% work near open spaces
for ball games.
Employees in the Yukon are more likely than Canadians overall
to report pleasant places to walk or jog.
- Participation at work—Of Yukoners
with access to clubs, sports, or recreational events at work,
37% reported participating in team sports, physical activity
clubs, or physical activity events like Sneaker Day.
- Fitness facilities at work
- 36% of Yukon residents have access to community facilities
like schools and gyms through their workplace.
- Fitness programs at work
- 24% of Yukon workers have programs to improve health,
physical fitness, or nutrition at their workplace,
- 9% have a group exercise program.
- Who funds facilities and programs?
- When asked who pays for these physical activity facilities
and programs at work, 52% of Yukon workers state that
only the employer pays.
- Employer attitude and support for physical
activity—Only 24% of Yukon residents say their employer
is very or extremely supportive, with most reporting that
their employer provides little or no encouragement (60%).
Of those having some support, 61% think that such support
actually helps them to be active.
- Incentives and rewards for physical
activity at work—38% of Yukon 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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The Institute gratefully acknowledges the
financial support of Health Canada and the Interprovincial
Sport and Recreation Council toward the Benchmarks Program.
Our Yukon partner is the Department of Community and Transportation
Services, Sport and Recreation Branch.
For more information about Yukon active living initiatives,
contact Active Living Consultant Karen Thomson at karen.thomson@gov.yk.ca.
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