ID206 Active campus, active staff

The Idea

We’re lucky to have such a beautiful, open campus and a culture of flexible working that has evolved significantly since 2019. Yet it’s still common to hear colleagues say, “I’ve had meetings all day, I haven’t left my desk.” This isn’t unique to Keele - it reflects a broader shift in how we work (Teams and video calls), where back-to-back meetings and screen-based roles can limit opportunities to step away and move. 

This idea is about normalising movement as part of the working day as a visible and supported part of our culture. 

That could include free access to sports facilities (including free access to the gym), encouraging walking meetings, an annual staff sports day, and legitimising time during the day for physical activity - not just at lunch. Staff could book onto free physical activity classes via Keele People, with clear guidance that taking an hour during the working day to attend is supported. Small shifts in behaviour, backed by this clarity, could make a significant difference. 

To help embed this approach, staff could be encouraged to have conversations with their managers about wellbeing and active ways of working, if they wish to do so. Any discussions relating to physical health or activity should remain entirely voluntary and inclusive, recognising that staff will have different circumstances and preferences, and ensuring no one feels under pressure to disclose personal health information.”

Why This Idea Should Be Considered

Supporting physical health is not just a wellbeing initiative - it directly impacts engagement, productivity, and absence levels. By encouraging more active working patterns, the University can help improve staff morale and support long-term health outcomes. 

There is also a strong alignment with Keele’s identity as a campus university. Making more visible use of our physical environment reinforces a sense of place and community.

How We Would Implement This Idea

Implementation could start with a clear institutional statement that physical activity during the working day is supported and encouraged. This could be backed by practical measures such as free access to sports facilities, and guidance for managers on enabling flexible time for exercise. 

Communications campaigns could highlight simple behaviours like walking meetings or taking breaks outdoors. 

Finally, aligning this with existing data - such as absence rates and staff survey insights - would allow the University to track impact and refine the approach over time.

What Success Would Look Like

Success would mean a visible cultural shift, where it is normal and accepted for staff to take time during the day to move, exercise, or step away from their desks. Staff would report feeling more energised and supported, reflected in improved engagement scores and wellbeing indicators. 

We would also expect to see a positive impact on absence rates and productivity over time.  

Ultimately, success is a campus where the physical environment is actively used and valued - supporting healthier ways of working for all staff.