The launch came as Sky, became the latest organisation to join the scheme and the first employer to make the programme available to all its employees nationwide.
Launched by the FIA (Fitness Industry Association) in 2010, Shift into Sports provides shift workers with access to sports, fitness and pay-as-you-play opportunities at low-cost and with no long term contracts by taking advantage of facilities during off-peak times.
The programme is designed to help the UK's shift workers take advantage of subsidised leisure activities at a time of the day that best suits them, whilst also ensuring that fitness and leisure facilities no longer lie dormant during the nine to five working day.
Following a pilot by London based minicab company, Addison Lee, Sky's investment in the programme will give 16,500 employees, and in particular its broadcast production staff, customer service staff and installation engineers based throughout the UK, the opportunity to benefit from a great choice of health and fitness offers.
David Stalker, CEO, FIA said: "Having Sky on board as the first national Shift into Sports investment partner underpins the significance that large corporations are placing on employment programmes that benefit healthier lifestyles.
"With hundreds of offers, the Shift into Sports programme will provide Sky employees with the means to enjoy sport and fitness from the beginning of 2012. As a long term programme we will continue to work with FIA members to grow the fantastic offers available and find new ways for shift workers to be active in their local area."
Ralph Tribe, director of business HR for Sky, added: "Sky has been instrumental in the national rollout of this fantastic partnership with Shift into Sports as a means of providing flexible and low cost access to activities for our employees, and in particular, our shift workers.
"Providing subsidised access to physical activity through Shift into Sports is yet another benefit we have introduced for our employees, and is part of our on-going commitment to health and well-being in the workplace."
Sky employees can now register on a bespoke website using an employer passcode to find offers in their local area. Activities available include going to the local gym, swimming, organised workouts in nearby parks, and team sports such as five-a-side football.
