HR Soapbox - Exercise Your Way To Outstanding Performance

December 13, 2007

Volume 6, Number 20

In This Issue... EXERCISE YOUR WAY TO OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE

Surely this isn't how your managers decide how to rate their employees on their performance reviews...or is it?

Your managers and supervisors need to clearly understand the performance appraisal process (and its importance) so that they can:

provide better and more consistent feedback for improvement,
encourage trusting and respectful relationships that will increase employee retention,
and safeguard your company and its managers from legal liability by having the right documentation to back up your termination decisions.

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Legally-Sound Performance Appraisals

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EXERCISE YOUR WAY TO OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE

The Workplace Index Survey on the Nature of Work in 2007, conducted by Steelcase, a global office environments manufacturer, asserts that it is beneficial, or thought to be, to exercise during the workday. Specifically, 78% of the 700 respondents say that exercising during the workday has or would have a positive impact on their overall productivity. I couldn't disagree more; the idea of exercising during the workday is anything but appealing, let alone productivity inducing.

Personally, the idea of changing into gym clothes, working out, getting all sweaty, showering, and then returning to my desk seems exceedingly draining and disruptive to me. Admittedly, I haven't tried it, so I could be wrong.

But, honestly, I don't think I'll ever try it. That's because I find exercising before or after work to have just as positive an impact on my work performance. I started exercising on a consistent basis almost two years ago; it was a resolution for 2006. Whether it's 20 minutes of cardio before work or 30 minutes of Pilates after work, I find that I have more stamina during the workday.

When life gets too hectic to exercise for a day or two or three, and it certainly does, I feel it. While I'm still productive, I don't feel as on point as I usually am. You'd think sleeping in instead of waking up early to exercise would make me more energetic, but it doesn't.

The New Year is only a few weeks away, so why not test out the theory that exercising — whether before, during, or after work — positively impacts work performance for yourself? Give it a few weeks. What have you got to lose besides that sluggish feeling that sets in at 3 p.m.?

The key to my success: start slow. I kicked off 2006 by doing a one-mile, 20-minute walking DVD with one-pound hand weights. Two years later, I'm into all sorts of aerobic workouts and using five-pound weights.

Good luck, stay legal, and get out of bed or off the couch!

Melissa V. Pomerantz
Editor

READERS GET ON THE SOAPBOX

Here's what readers had to say in response to last month's issue on:
JERKS AT WORK: THE HOLIDAY EDITION

I just finished reading your Jerks at Work segment and got a good laugh at the New Year's Baby segment. Well yes, there are a few of us out there who not only celebrate the New Year but also have a birthday on January 1. It's a tough day — beginning of the year and all that but I have managed to scrape myself together and get into work on January 2nd — not that I haven't been tempted to take a vacation day to start the year off right!!!!
I think it is totally inappropriate to have candy at work. Yes, even for the holidays, a grab bowl is too much. There are so many overweight people, who just have a piece now and then throughout the day.... how many pounds do they add due to this "nice gesture"? And, who usually has food at their desk, or who brings food for the others? How does the "mom" role fit into being professional?

Okay, so you want to give a small gift to everyone, and candy seems right? Well, don't assume I want chocolate! Many of us don't have a "sweet tooth." I feel totally left out when there are cookies and candy. Uck. Bring me french fries and potato chips, if you are going to make me fat. Better yet, give gifts of fancy tea. All those carbs put me to sleep.
This certainly doesn't make you a "jerk," but those who talk about Christmas and Santa in our office, rather than "the holidays" make life harder for HR. There are inevitably complaints about insensitivity — if not during the holidays, it will be later when those offended leave the company. (I noticed you used holiday in most of your article, but around here once is often enough to cause an employee to truly feel ill treated.)

Note: Responses may have been edited for clarity and length.

Review past issues of HR Soapbox here.

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