Record numbers of employees working towards better health with the Global Corporate Challenge

MELBOURNE, Australia, May 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Employees from more than 1,200 organizations in 185 countries and across every industry have signed up to the Global Corporate Challenge (GCC) which asks participants to hit a daily target of 10,000+ steps over a 100 day period. From there, employees follow the program's ongoing fitness challenges and nutritional programs, designed to create sustainable, healthy habits that last a lifetime. 

Recognizing that people are the most valuable asset of any organization, the GCC's vision to 'get the world moving' resonates more strongly than ever with employers. An international initiative now in its 11^th year of consecutive growth, GCC has again attracted record numbers of employers and participants for 2014.

"In an economic climate where uncertainty and instability weighs on the shoulders of many CEOs, GCC offers a cost-effective and easy-to-implement solution for organizations, of any size, to motivate and reward their workforce," explained Glenn Riseley, GCC Founder and Product Director.

Moreover, in a world saturated by health advice and pressure to commit more time to exercise while people are working longer hours than ever before, GCC offers a solution that is brutally simple with far-reaching results.

"Our objective was to roll out a true global wellness program to our large multi-national organization. We wanted something turn-key that was fun, engaging and built around a universal concept of wellness - increasing physical activity," said Scott Fieldman, Manager, Wellness and Productivity at Tyco.

The proven benefits are far-reaching, from improved fitness and weight-loss to increase in employee engagement, confidence and resilience.

"By pledging to log their step count on the www.gettheworldmoving.com website every day throughout the 100-day program, employees begin to form positive, healthy habits in a supportive, collaborative environment. It's about changing behavior and celebrating small achievements every day, as the phenomenal engagement levels on our participant website prove," continued Riseley.

For organizations looking for a program with real evidence and proof to back-up its promise, GCC invests heavily in international research and data analysis through the Foundation for Chronic Disease Prevention (FCDP). FCDP works in partnership with some of the world's foremost independent research institutes in this area including, most recently, Northeastern University – Boston, USA.

"Research has shown that the program has resulted in a 41% reduction in absenteeism while also delivering increased morale, improved energy levels and decreased stress levels for more than two thirds of employees – a real good news story for any employer," said Tom Sermon, CEO of GCC.

Beyond the positive impact on employees, GCC's partnership with UNICEF continues. In 2013, this partnership funded 280+ permanent water pumps for communities where there was little or no access to safe, clean water.

"By enabling participants to donate at key points throughout their 'virtual journey' combined with our own significant donation to UNICEF, this partnership ensures that GCC continues to deliver life-changing benefits way beyond the comfortable confines of our air-conditioned offices," said Sermon.

"We're looking forward to seeing which organizations step-up to exceed their personal and organizational targets this year and for those who are yet to register, it's still not too late to get involved," Riseley concluded. 

--END--

About GCC - Get the World Moving

The Global Corporate Challenge (GCC) is an organization that started with a single and ambitious vision - to get the world moving - and every year since its inception in 2004, it has delivered.

GCC has become a global movement which has changed the lives of over a million employees globally and helped transform the cultures of thousands of the world's leading organizations.

Our scientifically developed, clinically proven 12-month program takes employees on a journey that dramatically and permanently improves their relationship with exercise and nutrition and instils in them a new sense of self-belief, personal responsibility and resilience.

For employers, GCC delivers a program supports and rewards an organization's most valuable asset, their human capital. It ensures they arrive each day in the right physical and mental shape, so that they are fully engaged and ready to take on the world.

• For real stories and case studies from organizations who have benefited from joining  the GCC,  visit www.gettheworldmoving.com/client-success
  
• If you're a HR manager or a CEO looking for a realistic way to make a real difference to your people and corporate culture, register your interest at www.gettheworldmoving.com and we'll be in touch to discuss your options.

SOURCE The Global Corporate Challenge