Is your corporate dress code contributing to inactivity in your workplace? A small 2004 study by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) showed that employees took an average of 8% more steps on casual attire days than on days they wore normal work attire.

It’s a modest increase in physical activity ― but according to ACE, dressing more casually on a daily basis for 50 weeks out of the year has the potential to offset the typical annual adult weight gain ― 0.4 to 1.8 pounds per year. Preventing this weight gain could translate into corporate cost-avoidance; research shows that for every 1-unit increase in body mass index (5-8 lbs./unit), employer health-care costs for that employee increase by 1.9%.*

Casual attire isn’t appropriate in all work settings ― but even promoting a weekly casual day or periodic casual days throughout the year can help workers boost their daily steps. I’ve worked in both formal and more casual environments, and it’s true ― I conserved my steps when wearing skirts and heels, and walked around a lot more when dressed more comfortably in slacks and loafers or flats. Considering the multitudes of women who walk around on high heels, with foot pain, employee education on foot health may be another effective strategy to helping workers become more active.

One key strategy for promoting a culture of physical activity in the workplace is to remove barriers to physical activity, and find ways to make it easier for employees to be active throughout the work day. Encouraging and allowing workers to wear more comfortable ―yet still appropriate― clothing whenever possible helps accomplish this goal. Clearly, dress codes promote a professional corporate image and work environment ― but it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

Consider this ― will healthier, more active employees boost your corporate image and work environment, or detract from it?

*Pronk, NP, Goodman MJ, O’Connor PJ, Martinson BC, Relationship between modifiable health risks and short-term health care charges, JAMA Dec 1999; 282: 2235 - 2239