The Tribune

CHAMBER VOICE

By IAN FERGUSON

TODAY we begin a series that focuses attention on our emotional, mental, social and physical well-being as employees and employers. Much has been said about helping persons in the workforce achieve work-life balance. Perhaps it was the baby boomer generation that coined the phrase and worked diligently in accomplishing some form of health equilibrium between their work existence and their home and family. They were determined to not find themselves married to their vocations, and enslaved by work, sacrificing almost everything to advance and remain loyal to their employers.

A significant part of achieving this health symmetry is to focus some attention on the physical health of the employee. No one would argue with the Chamber Voice when we say that overwhelmingly, and perhaps comparatively, we have an extremely unhealthy and physically unfit workforce. The evidence is that most persons in the workforce are overweight, with a large percentage being grossly obese. As a result, large numbers of people in the active workforce suffer from any number of chronic diseases that can, in most cases, be avoided.

If we were to identify root causes for our challenge with large numbers of persons who are physically unfit in the work environment, we would have to streamline them to our eating patterns, our lack of exercise, the stress related to our jobs and personal lives, and the lack of sleep and rest also associated with our job and personal stress. We are a people fiercely loyal to food. The first serious discussion in most offices throughout the country every work morning is lunch. We are snacking throughout the day on the most unhealthy foods, which results in a further exacerbation of our obesity. Further compounding our problem is the fact that we have made our offices so comfortable and plush, that to leave those comforts and walk is unthinkable.

Therefore, these are out Tips:

• Work plans

• Walk to work or ride a bike

NB: Ian R. Ferguson was educated locally, regionally and internationally, having earned a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Miami. During the course of his nearly 20 years in education, talent management and human resources, he has served both the public and private sector in senior management roles. He currently serves as manager of the Chamber Institute, and as a local consultant in the field, having assisted hundreds of local and regional businesses in improving business and service excellence through their human capital.