Movement integrated into the work process: Walk & Talk meetings are a structural preventive WHP component – healthier and, for many types of conversations, even more effective.
Why does walking get your thinking moving?
Many people think more freely and associatively while walking than at the table. Your gaze isn’t fixed on the other person, which takes pressure off difficult topics and opens up space for new ideas. For open, creative questions that don’t require a screen, Walk & Talk is often the better format – more honest and solution-oriented.
What is it suitable for – and what not?
Ideal for one-on-one conversations, feedback, brainstorming, and the initial sorting out of a problem. As soon as documents, presentations, or more than three people are involved, the format reaches its limits. This clarity helps: Walk & Talk doesn’t replace every meeting, but a specific, frequent one – the short, confidential one-on-one conversation.
How does it become second nature?
No rules are needed, just a first “Let’s discuss this while walking.” A fixed, safe route nearby lowers the barrier. If you set an example as a manager, it quickly becomes a normal option in the toolbox – free, healthy, and a welcome change from the desk for the staff. A good addition is the Best Practice Standing meetings: The shortest meeting is a standing one.
How do you put the measure in place?
- 1Introduce the rule: 1:1 meetings become walking meetings
- 2Set a route (15-20 minute loop)
- 3Announce it at the next team meeting
- 4Lead by example yourself
- 5Collect feedback after 2 weeks
What do you need for it?
- Effort
- under 30 min
- Cost
- Free
- Setup
- 10 min
- ✓ Free
- ✓ More ideas while walking (Stanford study 2014)
- ✓ Immediately actionable
- ✓ More relaxed conversations
Tax and health insurance: what is possible
Employer health benefits can be tax-free under § 3 no. 34 of the German Income Tax Act (EStG) up to €600 per employee per year — if they are provided in addition to the salary already owed and are either certified (§ 20 SGB V) or implemented within the company's health promotion process. Gym memberships and corporate fitness are not covered. For ZPP-certified courses (e.g. from Upfit), German statutory health insurers can reimburse all or part of the course fee to their insured members — then only the amount exceeding that reimbursement is tax-free. Projects within the company can be funded under § 20b SGB V, with no entitlement. Only your tax adviser can confirm the tax exemption.
How it works in EasyWHP
This Best Practice in EasyWHP: adopt it, adapt it, measure the effect
Once adopted, the measure is ready in EasyWHP — with instructions, an invitation and surveys before and after. You adapt what fits your company and see at the end what it achieved.
Screenshots with demo data, no real people.
Adopt it for your company
Register for free — and the measure is ready to go in your cockpit: invitation, feedback survey and appointment are already set up. First cycle, first numbers for the boss.
Try EasyWHP for freeRather take a look first? To the live demo →
Contributes to
Measure the impact with
Action field
Physical Activity →A fitting occasion
- Car-Free Day
Related Best Practices
Not sure where to start? Self-check in approx. 7 minutes →