Design Your Workplace for Movement

What’s involved?

Supporting movement at work is about how tasks and spaces are designed. This includes building movement into everyday work, using space in ways that encourage people to move, and creating environments that make it easy to sit, stand and move throughout the day. These approaches can be applied in a wide range of work settings, often with simple, low-cost changes.

1. Build movement into everyday tasks
   • Place printers, recycling stations and supply areas in shared areas.
   • Locate shared amenities, such as water stations and meeting rooms, away from work areas.
   • Avoid keeping frequently used items beside individual workstations.
   • Create clear, easy to follow walking routes between work areas and shared spaces.
   • In standing or physical roles, arrange tools and supplies to encourage a variety of natural movement, such as reaching, turning, and short walks instead of repeating the same motion in one spot.
2. Reconfigure space to support movement
   • Turn unused or underused areas into simple movement-friendly spaces for stretching, standing meetings, or short walks.
   • Provide access to low-cost equipment such as yoga mats, resistance bands or stability balls.
   • Where appropriate, provide wireless headsets or mobile technology to support moving, standing or walking during calls and virtual meetings.
   • For standing or physical roles, provide sit-stand stools or perch seats so employees can change posture while still working.
3. Support active commuting and outdoor movement
   • Install or improve access to secure bike racks, with covered or sheltered parking where possible.
   • Provide change rooms, lockers or showers where feasible.
   • Share maps of nearby walking routes, trails, or green spaces to encourage outdoor movement.
4. Ensure safety and accessibility
   • Keep outdoor areas and walking paths safe, well-lit and accessible year-round, including snow and ice removal in winter.
   • Choose flooring that supports comfort and safety, such as anti-fatigue surfaces in heavy standing areas and slip-resistant materials where floors may be wet.
   • Arrange furniture so employees have room to move and change positions easily.
   • Make sure layout changes work for everyone, including employees with mobility needs, health considerations, or existing accommodations.
5. Reinforce movement-supportive norms
   • Encourage leaders to model movement by participating in walking meetings, standing, or changing posture throughout the day.
   • Build short movement breaks into meetings longer than 60 minutes.
   • Clearly communicate that movement during the workday is supported.
   • Where possible include movement-supportive design in workplace standards or facility guidelines.

Spread the word

• Highlight what’s changed: Let employees know what changes have been made in the workplace to make movement throughout the day easier (e.g. walking, standing, or changing positions).
• Link to national guidance: Share simple messages from the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines about moving more, sitting less, and breaking up long periods in the same position.
• Highlight opportunities for movement: Use signage or maps to highlight walking routes, movement-friendly spaces, and outdoor paths. Refresh signs and posters every few months so they stay noticeable.
• Keep messages positive and inclusive. Focus on how movement helps people feel better, like having more energy or less stress, and use language that resonates with everyone.

Amplify your impact

Pair this with our Create a Workplace Commitment to Movement action card so layout changes are backed by visible leadership support. Add Make Stairwells Safe and Inviting to extend movement opportunities beyond the workspace and into everyday routines like moving between floors.

Track progress

Use the questions and indicators below to see how your efforts are working and identify opportunities to improve.

* Tip: Use the Healthier Together Workplaces Action & Evaluation Planning Facilitator’s Guide to plan, monitor and refine your approach.