The Tribune

By IAN FERGUSON

Recent American statistics indicate that overweight employees cost their employers a collective $73 billion per year, and file twice the number of worker compensation claims than their ‘in shape’ counterparts.

Research further indicates that healthy, physically fit employees increase productivity. While this claim is not difficult to understand, the immediate question that arises is what can employers do to make this happen? It may be best to first consider the factors influencing obesity:

1. Diet

Nutrition is key to resolving the ‘portliness issue’. The corporate Bahamian environment is a fanatically ‘foody’ one, where we sit for hours on end planning breakfast, lunch and, sometimes, dinner meals at work.

If employers can assist employees in watching what they take into their bodies, half the battle is won. Healthy options in the staff cafeteria and vending machines, quarterly good nutrition seminars, water stations that are easily accessible and many other interventions assist employees in guarding their food intake.

1. Exercise

Physical activity plays a vital role in reducing the excess weight carried around by far too many employees. Since many of our office staff sit around in comfortable air-conditioned offices, and move only to use the restroom or grab lunch, there is very little movement happening during the active part of the day.

Company walk-a-thons, ‘biggest loser’ competitions, gym discount arrangements and other schemes to encourage employees to become more physically active are not only useful, but crucial.

1. Sleep

While the other two factors help shed weight, very little is said about the benefits of sleep and rest in shedding pounds. Truth is, employees who get less than six hours of sleep per night, over an extended period of time, gradually lose their ability to remain alert and efficient. Our culture of celebrating workaholics, who take work home and stay up at all hours, working on projects and assignments, must be addressed and rectified.

1. Stress

The common cry of many who struggle with weight is: ‘When I worry, I eat’. Comfort food, whether in the desk, under the desk and on top of the desk, is what many in the workplace face.

When the workplace gets stressful, employers must take the necessary steps to provide support and intervention for employees. Mandatory paid vacation, employee lounge areas, sleep stations and employee assistance programmes with trained psychologists are some of the initiatives that will drive a healthier workforce.

Today’s employer must remember the simple truth: Healthy minds and bodies produce effective employees.

• NB: Ian R. Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organsations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.