Overweight people at work
Discussion
Don’t understand all the attacking of the OP. He gets asked what it’s got to do with him, he tells them he’s the boss, he gets scathed for bigging himself up. OP says he’s genuinely concerned about a member of his staff, wants to know how he might be able to help, if it’s indeed possible to help and how to handle broaching the subject sensitively toward a member of staff he doesn’t want to lose only to receive a load of angry replies about poking his nose in and discriminating against overweight people. Apparently being concerned for your staff’s wellbeing makes you a bigot now too.
It’s a tricky situation OP. The only think I would say is if it’s not affecting his performance then leave well alone. You say they don’t have many sick days or slack off so perhaps it’s better to do nothing. Eating at desks is a real pet hate of mine though, especially hot food which invariably stinks the office out. Good luck, wish I could suggest something constructive.
It’s a tricky situation OP. The only think I would say is if it’s not affecting his performance then leave well alone. You say they don’t have many sick days or slack off so perhaps it’s better to do nothing. Eating at desks is a real pet hate of mine though, especially hot food which invariably stinks the office out. Good luck, wish I could suggest something constructive.
Edited by Antony Moxey on Sunday 7th January 15:01
KrissKross said:
There are some really angry people in here, I assume that's why many of you looking for an answer to your own problems within the employment section of the internet.
Typical PH keyboard heroism. The concept that one could care for the health, happiness and well being of ones employees or workmates is alien to the PH keyboard hero. These forums are probably their only opportunity in life to actually speak down to someone. Hmmm, some very unhelpful replies to a perfectly reasonable question showing concern (what's the industry got to do with it?!).
A couple a years back I worked in a mates office for a bit and the chubby girls used to take it in turns to bring in free for all cakes for coffee breaks. At feeding time it turned into a Bruce Bogtrotter convention; used to make me want to vomit. I did get on well with them and most of them at least verbally expressed an interest in losing weight at some point. When it was my turn I just explained I was trying to get fit for a long bike ride so brought fruit in instead (all sorts). It all got eaten by someone. Over time each of the others changed to do the same and our end became known as "Fruit Corner".
When I left it was still going...they were still chubsters though (diet coke, pie and chips syndrome I reckon).
A couple a years back I worked in a mates office for a bit and the chubby girls used to take it in turns to bring in free for all cakes for coffee breaks. At feeding time it turned into a Bruce Bogtrotter convention; used to make me want to vomit. I did get on well with them and most of them at least verbally expressed an interest in losing weight at some point. When it was my turn I just explained I was trying to get fit for a long bike ride so brought fruit in instead (all sorts). It all got eaten by someone. Over time each of the others changed to do the same and our end became known as "Fruit Corner".
When I left it was still going...they were still chubsters though (diet coke, pie and chips syndrome I reckon).
King Herald said:
Typical PH keyboard heroism. The concept that one could care for the health, happiness and well being of ones employees or workmates is alien to the PH keyboard hero. These forums are probably their only opportunity in life to actually speak down to someone.
There's a big difference between caring for the happiness of workmates and trying to use your authority as boss to change someone's eating habits.Having a happy and healthily workforce is much more than performance managing people to perform at 100%. Do people really think that putting this person on a PIP is going to make him work better and lose weight?
OP - Its not going to be any surprise to them that they are overweight. Why not just have a friendly chat and be honest. Tell them you are concerned for their health, and is there anything you can do to help? Maybe they really want to do something but don't know where to start? Hiring a PT/Nutritionist for the whole office wont cost a lot and is proving an additional service to your employees that can use if they wish. Maybe they are comfort eating because they are hugely un-happy. Who knows. If someone was coughing their guts up everyday and still smoking most people would express concern. Eating oneself to an early grave is no different.
OP - Its not going to be any surprise to them that they are overweight. Why not just have a friendly chat and be honest. Tell them you are concerned for their health, and is there anything you can do to help? Maybe they really want to do something but don't know where to start? Hiring a PT/Nutritionist for the whole office wont cost a lot and is proving an additional service to your employees that can use if they wish. Maybe they are comfort eating because they are hugely un-happy. Who knows. If someone was coughing their guts up everyday and still smoking most people would express concern. Eating oneself to an early grave is no different.
Scabutz said:
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OP - Its not going to be any surprise to them that they are overweight. Why not just have a friendly chat and be honest. Tell them you are concerned for their health, and is there anything you can do to help? Maybe they really want to do something but don't know where to start? Hiring a PT/Nutritionist for the whole office wont cost a lot and is proving an additional service to your employees that can use if they wish. Maybe they are comfort eating because they are hugely un-happy. Who knows.
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OP, this could be the best approach. OP - Its not going to be any surprise to them that they are overweight. Why not just have a friendly chat and be honest. Tell them you are concerned for their health, and is there anything you can do to help? Maybe they really want to do something but don't know where to start? Hiring a PT/Nutritionist for the whole office wont cost a lot and is proving an additional service to your employees that can use if they wish. Maybe they are comfort eating because they are hugely un-happy. Who knows.
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KrissKross said:
Believing someone's profile is correct, yes that's sensible.
Attacking someone you know nothing about, equally sensible.
and that would be like you going on about your fat subordinate wouldn't it..... I never said i believed a profile I have taken it in good stead to what you have put on there, if it is wrong it doesnt paint me in a bad light, but the person that has put the information there in the first place.Attacking someone you know nothing about, equally sensible.
If you want a bigger spade then let me know but I think you are digging a hole for yourself just fine.
Fat shaming or trying to pin inadequacies on them due to their weight is not on. By all means asses their performance and if found to be sub par then you have a course for action - to develop an action plan and work with them to address the issues with their work performance. If they dont improve then there is a route towards managing them out the business but you have to have it down on paper and have an audit trail. but you really need to be doing it for the right reasons and a dislike for the person isnt on the radar.
if you dont do it right then you leave yourself wide open. Id be asking for advice from an employment law specialist and not through a car forum.
Edited by ruggedscotty on Sunday 7th January 18:36
ST565NP said:
Scabutz said:
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OP - Its not going to be any surprise to them that they are overweight. Why not just have a friendly chat and be honest. Tell them you are concerned for their health, and is there anything you can do to help? Maybe they really want to do something but don't know where to start? Hiring a PT/Nutritionist for the whole office wont cost a lot and is proving an additional service to your employees that can use if they wish. Maybe they are comfort eating because they are hugely un-happy. Who knows.
...
OP, this could be the best approach. OP - Its not going to be any surprise to them that they are overweight. Why not just have a friendly chat and be honest. Tell them you are concerned for their health, and is there anything you can do to help? Maybe they really want to do something but don't know where to start? Hiring a PT/Nutritionist for the whole office wont cost a lot and is proving an additional service to your employees that can use if they wish. Maybe they are comfort eating because they are hugely un-happy. Who knows.
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If she isn't. Performance manager her.
Just like everyone else.
Stop everyone snacking at their desks though. Grim and unhygenic.
That should make an impact on it's own.
Sa Calobra said:
ST565NP said:
Scabutz said:
...
OP - Its not going to be any surprise to them that they are overweight. Why not just have a friendly chat and be honest. Tell them you are concerned for their health, and is there anything you can do to help? Maybe they really want to do something but don't know where to start? Hiring a PT/Nutritionist for the whole office wont cost a lot and is proving an additional service to your employees that can use if they wish. Maybe they are comfort eating because they are hugely un-happy. Who knows.
...
OP, this could be the best approach. OP - Its not going to be any surprise to them that they are overweight. Why not just have a friendly chat and be honest. Tell them you are concerned for their health, and is there anything you can do to help? Maybe they really want to do something but don't know where to start? Hiring a PT/Nutritionist for the whole office wont cost a lot and is proving an additional service to your employees that can use if they wish. Maybe they are comfort eating because they are hugely un-happy. Who knows.
...
If she isn't. Performance manager her.
Just like everyone else.
Stop everyone snacking at their desks though. Grim and unhygenic.
That should make an impact on it's own.
I would provide a company car, probably a Zafira with Uber markings, make him your best friend and call him a fat lazy b*****d. He'll be doubling up with laughter and agreeing with you.
That's the time to then offer him some alternative calorie controlled eating options and a week at a health farm, whilst you are getting the alternator fixed on the Zafira.
It just so happens I know where there is one such Zafira, pm me if you are interested.
That's the time to then offer him some alternative calorie controlled eating options and a week at a health farm, whilst you are getting the alternator fixed on the Zafira.
It just so happens I know where there is one such Zafira, pm me if you are interested.
Tell the staff you have had customer and staff complaints about the food smells and particles left in keyboard, client complains they can hear persons eating whilst on the phone which I find rude etc etc (sure you can find reasons to justify) say due to this feedback that eating at the desk won't be allowed from X date. That will deal with the snacking and will help.
Presumably your location is close to fast food outlets so stopping them eating those will be difficult. Maybe you could reduce the lunchbreak to half an hour making it difficult to get out, order and eat in the time allowed - finish half an hour early in lieu? U won't be able to control what they do out of hours.
What about a staff suggestion scheme? You could easily rig a suggestion that you get Slimming World or a fitness consultant in for half an hour once a week at lunchtimes as so many have moaned about their weight.
I wouldn't be a natural volunteer for such things but would probably find it difficult not to with peer pressure from colleagues.
Presumably your location is close to fast food outlets so stopping them eating those will be difficult. Maybe you could reduce the lunchbreak to half an hour making it difficult to get out, order and eat in the time allowed - finish half an hour early in lieu? U won't be able to control what they do out of hours.
What about a staff suggestion scheme? You could easily rig a suggestion that you get Slimming World or a fitness consultant in for half an hour once a week at lunchtimes as so many have moaned about their weight.
I wouldn't be a natural volunteer for such things but would probably find it difficult not to with peer pressure from colleagues.
And how does he reduce the lunch break ? An assumption that would be possible is easy to make but reality is that it will be set down in the terms and conditions as to what lunch break entitlement is, and changing that is changing a persons terms and conditions which is a mine field.
elanfan said:
Presumably your location is close to fast food outlets so stopping them eating those will be difficult. Maybe you could reduce the lunchbreak to half an hour making it difficult to get out, order and eat in the time allowed - finish half an hour early in lieu? U won't be able to control what they do out of hours.
Quite apart from the irony in reducing lunch times to discourage use of fast food (what do you imagine is the point of food being fast?) this is outrageously paternalistic.Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff