Crawley Borough Council will hold health and wellbeing events for employees during September and plans to allow them to take time off work to volunteer in the local community.
The events include a "fat club" to help staff lose weight; a five-a-side football tournament; nutritional information sessions; tai chi, dance, yoga and pilates classes at lunchtimes; and guided healthy walks. The council will also make available healthy food in the staff canteen and subsidised massages. Also, the Financial Services Authority has been brought in to run a financial awareness workshop as a stress prevention initiative.
Sarah Barnes, the council's human resources manager, said: "Employee wellbeing is not just about people being off sick. It's about preventative stuff. We are taking these measures to give staff hints on how to be healthier."
The council is also allowing its 800 staff to take time off work to help a local volunteering service. Volunteer activities will range from dog walking to visiting sick and elderly people in hospital.