Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation

OUTDOOR RECREATION IS THE BEST CORPORATE BENEFIT

By India Nielsen Barfuss, Program Manager for the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation

When companies think of the benefits they want to offer employees, outdoor recreation should be at the top of the list. If you want happy – and productive – employees, encourage them to spend time outside, or better yet, make it easier for them to spend time on trails and other natural spaces.

Physical & Mental Wellbeing, Creativity, & Productivity

Nature can boost employee productivity and creativity, according to research conducted by Dr. David Strayer at the University of Utah. Simply being in a park for 20 minutes can improve a person’s mental health, and the American Heart Association found that for every $1 invested in building trails, there is a direct correlation to $3 of saved medical costs. Helping your employees live healthy and happy lives benefits everyone – including your insurance plan.

Utahns Want Outdoor Benefits

If the health research isn’t enough to convince you, take a look at what Utahns are saying. A recent Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and Utah Outdoor Partners study asked tech sector employees why they chose to move to Utah or stay in Utah. The report found that access to outdoor recreation and wilderness was at the top of the list, even above family, career opportunities, and cost of living.

This sentiment extends beyond the tech sector. Employees across all sectors prefer employers who value and appreciate outdoor recreation – and provide it as a benefit. Favorite perks that Utah employees listed in the 2021 Utah Business “Best Companies To Work For” survey included ski passes, national parks passes, and other wellness benefits such as an on-site bouldering wall.

What Should You Do?

Business leaders can help improve Utah’s quality of life by contributing to efforts that maintain, preserve, and build access to outdoor spaces. Companies can find partners and support organizations with the mission to improve access to outdoor recreation, and encourage employees to get involved. Your business can even incentivize employees to set aside time for volunteering. They may find a new passion for the outdoors or a new community of friends, and they will certainly reap the physical and mental wellness benefits of being outdoors.

The next time you’re evaluating how to thank your employees or improve your benefits package, it could be as simple as giving your employees the resources, time, or access to be outside.