2003

Pioneering Fitness Scheme helps Flight Centre staff fight Xmas bulge

Thursday, 9 January 2003

One of the UK's fastest growing travel retailers, Flight Centre UK Limited, is taking steps to ensure its employees get into shape after the Christmas festivities, with the launch of a new health scheme. The travel company has formed Healthwise, an in-house division dedicated to improving employees' heath and fitness, and will start by offering a free fitness assessment* to all staff, from travel consultants to general managers, to launch the new service. Flight Centre UK's managing director Gary Hogan said the service would prove popular with its 450 employees, as they will have access to ongoing fitness, health and lifestyle advice. "Our vision is to have one of the UK's healthiest workforces," said Gary Hogan "and by offering this service free to all employees I think will encourage even the most fitness phobic amongst us to start living a healthier lifestyle." "The launch of Healthwise is seen as a major long term investment because it will ensure our most important asset, our people, stay happy and healthy and continue to grow as individuals. In Flight Centre, Australia, where the scheme was pioneered, it has helped decrease sick days and contributed substantially to morale and company loyalty." Healthwise manager Steve Cormack said the free fitness assessment program was believed to be the first of its kind in the UK for travel consultants, and every consultant at the 80 Flight Centre stores throughout the UK will have the option to have a consultation over the coming months. "Most corporate health plans are aimed at upper management levels, but it is important that all employees have access to expert health advice. Schemes like this are often the kick-start people need to start taking greater responsibility for their own health." Mr Cormack, who previously managed a health club in Edinburgh and has a degree in applied sports science, said Healthwise will visit employees, conducting optional medical and exercise tests and will then set individual, 16 week training programs. "I will be helping Flight Centre staff set realistic, individual goals, based on where they would like to be in terms of their health, fitness and lifestyle. This could be anything from general health advice to setting a training programme for the marathon." he added. Healthwise will conduct follow up visits to see how people are getting on with their program and to develop further training plans as requested. Steve Cormack will also be on hand to offer advice on any aspect of health and fitness. * The fitness assessment will check overall fitness levels, exercise history, flexibility, as well as measuring body fat, blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol.