More than a third (35%) of business owners have seen sick days fall as a result of staff playing sports together, according to research from Mercedes-Benz Vans.
Of the businesses included in the research, 63% encourage staff to play sports together to make them healthier and happier. In addition, half said team sports made their employees more productive and 48% felt team spirit was boosted.
Sky Sports Legend Chris Kamara said: “Mercedes-Benz Vans has found that team sports reduces sick days at work and drives a better work culture. So the message is clear: Get out playing team sports.
“Being with friends, talking to people and making sure once you finish work you mix with others is so important, particularly for those who spend a lot of time working alone.
“I absolutely agree that more businesses should be encouraging team sports – and if they do this new research shows they are likely to see their productivity improve.”
The research comes as Mercedes-Benz Vans marks the return of Vantasy Football – the UK’s only football tournament for van drivers.
The tournament, held at the England team’s training ground St George’s Park in Staffordshire, sees teams from a cross-section of UK businesses battle it out for the Mercedes-Benz Vans Vantasy Football cup.
Ross Baxter, Fleet Manager at medical delivery firm Sciensus, managed a five-a-side team at Vantasy last year.
He and his colleagues set up their own five-a-side football competition – and have since seen sick days fall by 17%.
Baxter said: “I can’t explain how positive the players were after the tournament – they said it was fantastic to be a part of something bigger and build a bond with their colleagues.
“We’ve now set up our own annual Sciensus Soccer Saturday, and many of the teams who played together in that now play five-a-side every week. It’s created a real sense of community and team spirit, and the feedback has been fantastic.”
