How employers are working to reduce obesity in their employees

Employers are taking proactive steps to help employees change make better choices and fight the devastating effects of obesity. Here are different ways that employers are working to reduce obesity in their employees-

• Many employers are encouraging their employees to use the stairways more. This is done by making them more appealing and safer. Some employers have gone as far as to repaint staircases, add new carpets, artwork and even sign with motivational sayings.
• Some employers are forcing their employees to move more. They have banned cars, moved their parking garages further from their office, put in slow moving elevators and more attractive staircases, to discourage their use.
• Employers are understanding the value of a full-facet employee wellness program.

These same employers are seeing positive outcomes from their employee wellness programs that offer: weight management programs (this can often be done on a personal, online or group basis), counseling for diet and nutrition, having a cafeteria and vending machines that offer low-fat meals and snacks, offering discounts on nutritional services and providing an employee gym.

• Some employers are thinking outside the box when it comes to helping their employees manage their weight. Companies are offering free access to personal trainers and gyms (either on or off site), and some companies have even gone as far as having onsite gardens that offer produce for their employees use.

However, you may be surprised to learn that even with knowing the many benefits of offering weight management programs in the workplace, many businesses have avoide3d them. The main concern that is expressed is that they worry that identifying overweight employees could be discriminatory. There is an easy answer to this program. Companies should offer only voluntary programs and incentives. They should make sure that only those employees who are motivated should take part. In addition, it is crucial that there are no "disincentives", for those employees who choose not to take part. Some of the things that employers can do are:

• Make on site weight management programs, available in the workplace
• Offer free or discounted gym memberships
• Begin a healthier eating program, in the workplace. This can be done by having healthier choices in both the cafeteria and the workplace.
• Encouraging employees to walk on breaks or lunch times. In addition, developing a company culture that supports delivering materials by hand rather then by email or fax.
• Offer a selection of educational materials that deal with the risk of obesity and disease management programs.
• Utilize an employee assistance program for private or group based weight control programs.
• Offer incentives to employees such as a significant discount on health care premiums.

Employers should make sure before implementing any aspect of their employee wellness program that it falls in line with company values and adheres to all anti-discrimination laws. A major stumbling block in this type of program is that many companies feel that obese employees are discriminated against and do not want to add to that perception. However, by following all legal guidelines this should not be a problem.

Employers also worry that there will be a lack of participation in whatever weight management program they provide within the employee wellness framework. While companies may worry about the lack of participation if the program is effectively designed with the correct incentives, studies show that more and more employees are eager to take advantage of this type of program.

The bottom line is that by instituting a weight management program under the umbrella of the employee wellness program, companies are showing their employees that their health and welfare are a priority.