This blog post is for you - the HR professional who sits behind a computer screen 8, 10, 12 hours a day.  I know you’re understaffed, resumes are coming at you left and right, and hiring managers want to see applicants NOW.  Oh, and you need to review your benefits plan.  See, you’ll have no problem being active more often throughout the day (I’m great at sarcasm)! 

According to a recent article I saw on Mashable, Sitting Can Reduce Your Life Expectancy.  I don’t know about you, but I’m sitting as I type this.  And I’m pretty sure asking for one of those cool stand up deskswouldn’t get me very far.  A study in the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that people who sit for most of the day are 54% more likely to die of a heart attack.  What can you reasonably do throughout your busy day to ensure you’ll be the HR professional at your company for many years to come?  Check out these three ideas:

1.      Conducting a phone interview?  Stand up!  Get yourself a headset like your sales department has and use it for longer conversations to allow yourself a little free movement.

2.      Meeting with hiring managers, or your benefits team to review your current plan?  See if you can get just one meeting room furnished with tall tables.  Those who want to stand will have the opportunity to do so, while others can use a stool.  This is a great way to invest in employees’ health(and your own), without spending a lot.  Or if you’re just meeting with one other person to discuss a new idea, ask if they’d like to go for a walk.  You’ll need a good company culture for this one though.  Make sure this option is not open to only a select few.

3.      Remember the basics.  Get up and move around every once in a while.  Leave at 5:00pm to go see your kid’s soccer game every now and then.  Walk during lunch, or any breaks you get.

Most of us will need to be sedentary for a good part of the day, but try not to make it worse than it has to be.  Do you have any tricks you’d like to share? 

Now, get up and go ask your co-worker that question in person!

Erica L.

Originally posted at: http://uecubenefit.uecu.org/