Ipswich call centre named ‘Fit for Work’ business champion

Ipswich based call transfer agency Call Connection has been selected as one of five ‘Fit for Work’ business champions for the East, on the strength of their vision for improving the health and fitness of their staff. They will be used as role models for other businesses wanting to improve employee welfare.

‘Fit for work’ is a nationwide scheme which aims to raise the level levels of participation in sport and general fitness activities in the workplace, and is being co-ordinated in the East by ‘Team Ipswich’, the campaign led by Ipswich Borough Council to develop sport in the town.

Call Connection has already won acclaim for its staff welfare programme and in 2008 was listed number one company by the Sunday Times for giving a fair deal to staff. Its employees benefit from ‘stop smoking’ classes, free gym membership, a Wii Fit console, free fruit and water and desk massages. The company’s bosses are committed to promoting further keep-fit activities throughout the call centre, including arranging Pilates and kickboxing classes.

Call Connection Managing Director Graeme Kalbraier commented on the scheme: “We value our workforce and we are committed to supporting the health and well-being of our staff. The Team Ipswich ‘Fit for Work’ initiative is something we are very keen to be involved with, and hope it will further strengthen our commitment to making our call centre a healthy and happy place to work.”

All five ‘business champions’ have identified a workplace leader who will be supported by Team Ipswich throughout 2009. They will receive a package of benefits including £500 to spend on activity related equipment/services to increase participation in sport and physical activity. Business champions will also have access to a range of other services, including work-place massage, yoga, and dance, as part of the Suffolk Healthy Ambitions programme.

Team Ipswich Fit for Work Co-ordinator Claire Parker said: “Statistics have proven that active employees on average take 27% fewer days off sick than non-active employees, which equates to a saving of £135 per employee per year. With so many Ipswich businesses committed to improving the health of their workforce, this can be seen as a brilliantly positive initiative for corporate Ipswich in a time otherwise characterised by rising costs and financial hardships.”

32.9 million working days are lost annually from people taking time off because of illness. Other effects of ill health on businesses include having to pay sick-pay, high staff turnover, early retirement, temporary staff costs, loss of production, and low morale. It has been proven that employees engaged in physical activity initiatives have reported greater enjoyment of their work, increased concentration and mental alertness, and improved co-operation and rapport with colleagues.

Team Ipswich, led by Karen Pickering MBE, is a campaign to further develop sport in the town and make Ipswich the Gateway to the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

3 Dec 2008

Filed under Call Centre News