In Business / February 2007
Work and Weight
It seems like everyone wants to lose weight. Employers are finding they can use that universal desire to build employee goodwill, boost productivity, and save money on health care costs.
Employers who help employees reach their weight loss goals earn loyalty and gratitude in return. With resolutions falling by the wayside, many companies find this the perfect time of year to build employee goodwill by helping employees slim up and get healthy.
What happens in many workplaces is, when business owners focus on something their employees care about, it naturally makes them care more about the company.
Almost everyone wants to drop a few pounds, but losing weight isn’teasy. By helping employees achieve the goal, business owners become part of a larger solution for employees, giving them a lot more than a paycheck.
Losing weight can affect the bottom line in many ways. The increase in health care costs for obese employees is estimated as hight as 80 per cent.
Expert suggest choosing a wellness program that emphasizes the benefits of lifestyle change, with principles centered on healthful, nutritious foods and regular exercise, so everyone will benefit. “Fit” and “thin” are not necessarily the same. There are plenty of thin people who eat junk food and never, ever exercise but, even employees who are doing everything right can keep up the good work and maintain their healthy body weight.
Employers need to be honest about the costs of excess weight and the illnesses that come with it. Employees should be told honestly and directly that it’s difficult to provide higher wages and better benefits when so much of the company’s money is going to support illnesses that could be prevented.
Achieving a healthy body weight takes time, so employers need to prepare for a long term commitment.
Offering incentives can help, whether that is small cash bonuses, gift certificates for pre-determined milestones or discounted insurance premiums. Some companies have found team competitions between departments to be effective. Even small incentives are powerful. People like working toward a concrete reward.
Statistics indicate that one in two individuals will become obese in the next five years, so employees need to learn the basics of managing body weight: consume a moderate, nutritious diet and exercise regularly.
Getting employees excited about good nutrition can be helpful, with recipe bulletin boards where employees can share their culinary creations or potluck lunches where everyone brings a favorite healthful dish.
Employees are much more likely to sustain an exercise program if they have company, so exercise groups can be a big health boost, whether it involves hiring an aerobics instructor several times a week or starting a lunch-hour walking group.
Companies that implement, promote, and rigorously adhere to an integrated, well-coordinated wellness program are finding their commitment pays off in unexpected ways, in addition to saving money in health care costs.
Employees who successfully lose weight are often happier and more confident, which makes them more effective at work and home. They feel connected to their coworkers, more committed to their company and appreciative of the employer who gave them the boost they needed.
Copyright © 2007 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
Top • Home • Subscribe • Advertise • Submit • Distribution • Contact
Support Our Advertisers • Organization Resources • Women Owned Business
Designed by Livewire Studio
Send an Email About This Article