KCOM puts employee wellbeing front and centre with online fitness classes
KCOM employees will be able to feel the burn before focusing on delivering the best broadband to the region as the business launches a new series of fitness classes.
The Hull-based broadband provider has enlisted the services of local fitness instructors who will be hosting 30-minute online training sessions that staff will be able to take part in during their working day.
Personal trainers John Cammish and Sam Salter will be putting KCOM team members through their paces every day from Monday to Friday in a bid to help them tone up, lose weight or achieve their own fitness goals with a mixture of cardio and strength-themed exercise classes.
Denise Chong, KCOM’s Chief People Officer, said: “This is a great way for our employees to keep fit as well as keep in touch with colleagues. It can be all too easy while working from home to get into a routine of moving from the computer screen to the sofa, but these voluntary classes will enable people to start the day with a real burst of energy.
“As a company committed to buying local, I’m delighted that through this initiative we’re also able to support two excellent local personal training businesses.”
KCOM employees had already proved themselves no slouches during the lockdown with various walking, running and cycling groups being formed on the company’s internal Teams groups. Between them the groups had already notched up more than 21,800 miles of exercise, demonstrating the demand for regular workout classes.
Personal trainer Sam Salter, who works with private clients mainly out of Planet Gym in Hull city centre, said she was looking forward to helping KCOM employees keep in shape – especially as the cold winter months creep in and exercising outside seems less appealing.
She said: “I think it’s a great idea and definitely something more businesses should be doing.
“I love the fact that staff will be able to do the classes as part of their working day – it’s not something that they have to do after work when they may have had a long day.
“It makes sense too because after doing exercise you’re far more focused. After taking part for 30 minutes each morning you’re ready for the day ahead and likely to be far more productive.”
Sam was already well acquainted with KCOM before taking on the role as its own PT instructor. Before deciding on a major career change six years ago she worked at the Hull-based broadband provider as a commercial accountant.
“I like to challenge myself,” she said. “I’ve always been into fitness so when the opportunity came six years ago to set out as a personal trainer I jumped at it. I like to get out of my comfort zone and try new things, so doing these classes for KCOM is ideal.
“I was a bit nervous before we started, but we’re getting good feedback and it’s nice to hear from the people taking part what their goals are and what they want to achieve so we can tailor the classes to them.”
Denise Chong added ensuring employee wellbeing and safety is a primary aim for the business, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, and bringing in personal trainers is helping employees keep physically and mentally fit while working from home.
She said: “As a business our people are our most important asset and initiatives like this help put their welfare centre stage. Staying physically fit contributes significantly to mental wellbeing and I know these classes are giving our employees a real boost every day.”