Before you get too excited, I should tell you that finding a Nintendo Wii under your office Christmas tree is not likely. While Wii in the workplace hasn’t yet becoming the newest HR buzz trend, the unofficial campaign for introducing Wii at the office may gain more support with each passing week.
Blogs abound with the benefits of this interactive wireless gaming system that allows players to see their physical movements mimicked by their Nintendo alter egos. (AKA Mario, other vegetable-throwing friends, and custom-made players) Move the photocopier outta the way…you’re gonna to need the extra space!
Playing Wii is more than an activity – it’s a workout. In fact, recent university studies have revealed that fifteen minutes of the ’Wii Workout’ burns around the same number of calories as would fifteen minutes of cycling, playing golf, or jogging!
Last time we checked, using the photocopier and answering the phone at the office burned more patience than calories. What’s a worker to do? Some have opted to bring the exercise ball and sweats to work, but if you’re not into lunging your way to your corner office to stay fit, there are other options. Some businesses are getting gymtastic to spark a corporate workout craze among their employees.
Is your cubicle farm a fat farm in disguise? Your chubby office chums not only carry the weight of increased health risks associated with obesity, but a study on the cost of hiring heavy-set people revealed the added ‘bonuses’ of packing on the pounds. Duke University Researchers found that slothy souls have twice the rate of workers' compensation claims as their ship-shape co-workers . Researchers involved in this study have mentioned that employers will have a Wii bit of explaining to do in the case that they choose to discriminate against their heftier hires as a result of the study.
Other organizations outside of the workplace are also fighting the sloth monster with super Wii power…and the demographic group involved might surprise you. Retirement homes are the latest to buy into the Nin-trend-do of Wii-playing, with residents noting the exercise and increased socialization that makes Wii worthwhile. The workplace can learn a lesson from these elderly exercisers about how some Wii glee will pump up any organization.
Thinking of asking HR Santa for a Wii this year? You may get turned down, but that’s what petty cash is for!
