Abstract
There has been a growing interest in employee wellness programmes at South African companies, as well as in on-site fitness facilities offered as part of this employee value proposition. While there are similarities between this type of fitness facility and private or commercial facilities, the operating environment for on-site facilities is vastly different. The decision between insourcing and outsourcing the management of such a facility is very important, especially since a specific skill set and approach is necessary for this task.
Exercise and physical activity have been proven to be effective in increasing productivity, lowering stress levels and improving the long-term health outcomes of employees. The question is, however: what management practices are currently used for such facilities to ensure the best possible outcomes for employees who are members of the facilities?
The management of four on-site fitness facilities at banks in Gauteng was compared based on several aspects including management of daily operations, the positioning of the service in the greater company EWP and satisfaction and the health outcomes of consumers (n=626) at the facilities. The consumers’ experience of facility management was compared to managers’ perspectives.
Users of outsourced facilities were more satisfied with the state of the facilities compared to insourced facility users, although this did not influence health outcomes as no difference was found between the two groups. There was also an inverse relationship between facility fees and number of enrolled members...
M.Phil.