Overweight people at work
Discussion
I don't think the OP did anything wrong with his initial question, not quite sure why he's being attacked so (wonder what the BMI of the attackers are?).
OP, has the person employed always been this large or have they recently been piling on the pounds? If they have always been this large then why did you let through the applications process?
Most obese applicants (I'm not just talking a bit fat) will be filtered out at interview stage over those who are healthy simply as they take triple the time off for sickness than those who are normal BMI and won't have many interesting hobbies, imo it's not discrimination as it's common sense when looking at the bottom line just the same as employing someone with 3+ children over someone with one or none.
My first workplace only employed healthy people (especially females) which made for quite a culture shock when I changed jobs
OP, has the person employed always been this large or have they recently been piling on the pounds? If they have always been this large then why did you let through the applications process?
Most obese applicants (I'm not just talking a bit fat) will be filtered out at interview stage over those who are healthy simply as they take triple the time off for sickness than those who are normal BMI and won't have many interesting hobbies, imo it's not discrimination as it's common sense when looking at the bottom line just the same as employing someone with 3+ children over someone with one or none.
My first workplace only employed healthy people (especially females) which made for quite a culture shock when I changed jobs
We had an AfricanAmerican guy turn up on our ship a few years ago. He was 5’ 9” and 350lbs! Nobody had any idea how he got through the medical, or through the compulsory offshore training, helicopter escape training, fire training etc etc.
I do believe it was because we were in the USA and he was a black yank, so it would have been ‘discrimination’ to point out his failings, OR fail him on any training.
He could not reach to tie his shoe laces. He did not fit into any of the overalls or life jackets onboard. He could not get into the bunk in his cabin, but had to sleep on the sofa. He needed an sleep apnoea machine.
Eventually he complained of chest pains, got medivacced off, but was deemed okay. Then they flew him to Australia to join a ship. The Ozzy captain would have none of it, refused to let him on the ship. Then the guy just disappeared, we heard he was given a job in the office in Houston. No way could he be fired for being overweight, not in the USA.
I do believe it was because we were in the USA and he was a black yank, so it would have been ‘discrimination’ to point out his failings, OR fail him on any training.
He could not reach to tie his shoe laces. He did not fit into any of the overalls or life jackets onboard. He could not get into the bunk in his cabin, but had to sleep on the sofa. He needed an sleep apnoea machine.
Eventually he complained of chest pains, got medivacced off, but was deemed okay. Then they flew him to Australia to join a ship. The Ozzy captain would have none of it, refused to let him on the ship. Then the guy just disappeared, we heard he was given a job in the office in Houston. No way could he be fired for being overweight, not in the USA.
untakenname said:
I don't think the OP did anything wrong with his initial question, not quite sure why he's being attacked so (wonder what the BMI of the attackers are?).
OP, has the person employed always been this large or have they recently been piling on the pounds? If they have always been this large then why did you let through the applications process?
Most obese applicants (I'm not just talking a bit fat) will be filtered out at interview stage over those who are healthy simply as they take triple the time off for sickness than those who are normal BMI and won't have many interesting hobbies, imo it's not discrimination as it's common sense when looking at the bottom line just the same as employing someone with 3+ children over someone with one or none.
My first workplace only employed healthy people (especially females) which made for quite a culture shock when I changed jobs
My BMI is over 30 and I haven't had a day off sick for years, so a generalisation there. Must admit I don't have any interesting hobbies, but this doesn't seem to effect my work.OP, has the person employed always been this large or have they recently been piling on the pounds? If they have always been this large then why did you let through the applications process?
Most obese applicants (I'm not just talking a bit fat) will be filtered out at interview stage over those who are healthy simply as they take triple the time off for sickness than those who are normal BMI and won't have many interesting hobbies, imo it's not discrimination as it's common sense when looking at the bottom line just the same as employing someone with 3+ children over someone with one or none.
My first workplace only employed healthy people (especially females) which made for quite a culture shock when I changed jobs
KrissKross said:
Ok so there is an obese person that works at our place.
They are reasonably pleasant, never turn up late for work or rarely off sick.
However, they work at a desk and will finish off a bag/box of chocolates by 10am, eat McDonald's for lunch most days. It's actually scary to watch and they are oblivious when anyone makes a health-related comment.
The person often complains of stomach ache, is lethargic and clearly unhealthy. when a task needs to be done they tend to move both physically and mentally at half the speed of everyone else.
I want to keep working with this person, and would really like to help them, however, I have no idea how to start a conversation with them on this subject, any ideas appreciated!
Point out their good points and that you still want to work with them and that you will do anything to help if you can (but only if you really mean it) then mention that you are worried they aren't happy at work. Then sit back and let them speak. Don't interrupt just listen. Remember you aren't there to impose your ideas on how they should live their life, you are there to understand what is behind the things they are doing. They are reasonably pleasant, never turn up late for work or rarely off sick.
However, they work at a desk and will finish off a bag/box of chocolates by 10am, eat McDonald's for lunch most days. It's actually scary to watch and they are oblivious when anyone makes a health-related comment.
The person often complains of stomach ache, is lethargic and clearly unhealthy. when a task needs to be done they tend to move both physically and mentally at half the speed of everyone else.
I want to keep working with this person, and would really like to help them, however, I have no idea how to start a conversation with them on this subject, any ideas appreciated!
You will probably learn more about them in ten minutes that you will from observing them from your desk in a year. You can then go on to ask them how any of the issues they have raised can be addressed and give them some time to think about ideas they could implement to improve.
Somethings you can't improve so dont promise anything you can't deliver. If this is all down to an emotional issue then refer them to their doctor and continue to support, ask them how they are getting on and see how things go.
Don't fixate on their eating/weight.
We have a weight loss competition every year for a group of 16 of us, starts in the new year and usually lasts for 12 weeks.
£1 each week at the weigh in and then a £1 fine for each Kg gained. No real pressure on anyone especially as some have literally no weight to lose. All done for charity and even with no fines that means about £200 raised which the company usually doubles.
Why not try something like that for a local charity? No pressure or direct attack on employee concerned, a lot of people will likely be whinging about how much they put on over xmas so probably a win all round and at the end of challenge you can double the money raised as a thank you.
May spur the employee on then too.
£1 each week at the weigh in and then a £1 fine for each Kg gained. No real pressure on anyone especially as some have literally no weight to lose. All done for charity and even with no fines that means about £200 raised which the company usually doubles.
Why not try something like that for a local charity? No pressure or direct attack on employee concerned, a lot of people will likely be whinging about how much they put on over xmas so probably a win all round and at the end of challenge you can double the money raised as a thank you.
May spur the employee on then too.
KrissKross said:
Ok so there is an obese person that works at our place.
They are reasonably pleasant, never turn up late for work or rarely off sick.
However, they work at a desk and will finish off a bag/box of chocolates by 10am, eat McDonald's for lunch most days. It's actually scary to watch and they are oblivious when anyone makes a health-related comment.
The person often complains of stomach ache, is lethargic and clearly unhealthy. when a task needs to be done they tend to move both physically and mentally at half the speed of everyone else.
I want to keep working with this person, and would really like to help them, however, I have no idea how to start a conversation with them on this subject, any ideas appreciated!
Quoted just in caseThey are reasonably pleasant, never turn up late for work or rarely off sick.
However, they work at a desk and will finish off a bag/box of chocolates by 10am, eat McDonald's for lunch most days. It's actually scary to watch and they are oblivious when anyone makes a health-related comment.
The person often complains of stomach ache, is lethargic and clearly unhealthy. when a task needs to be done they tend to move both physically and mentally at half the speed of everyone else.
I want to keep working with this person, and would really like to help them, however, I have no idea how to start a conversation with them on this subject, any ideas appreciated!
I'm sure (I hope) you mean well, but this comes across terribly.
If someone isn't doing their job correctly or effectively, performance manage them.
However, you cannot and should not go on a crusade for this person's health because they don't fit the lifestyle you think is correct.
If they ask for help, provide it. Otherwise, leave well alone.
Can't believe the bashing the OP is getting for this! I wish my employer cared about my health!
However as the responses from many on here show it's a touchy subject and I can't think of a PC way to go about addressing it. My experience with free gym memberships is that they will only be taken up by people who are already into that sort of thing (great perk for them though...).
However as the responses from many on here show it's a touchy subject and I can't think of a PC way to go about addressing it. My experience with free gym memberships is that they will only be taken up by people who are already into that sort of thing (great perk for them though...).
I suspect that the (aggressive) responses to this thread might correlate to the physical condition of the respondents.
I personally find it quite sad that so many people are so inactive/unfit/very overweight. It must be quite limiting.
A lot of people must not care, though.
I personally find it quite sad that so many people are so inactive/unfit/very overweight. It must be quite limiting.
A lot of people must not care, though.
Edited by MC Bodge on Friday 12th January 18:35
MC Bodge said:
I suspect that the (aggressive) responses to this thread might correlate to the physical condition of the respondents.
I personally find it quite sad that so many people are so inactive/unfit/very overweight. It must be quite limiting.
A lot of people must not care, though.
More to the point we don't see why an employer should care. Or what business it is of yours.I personally find it quite sad that so many people are so inactive/unfit/very overweight. It must be quite limiting.
A lot of people must not care, though.
I've had people working for me who are dedicated gym bunnies, something I find a bit sad, but I didn't take it upon myself to change their lifestyle.
AndStilliRise said:
We have a guy to sits behind me. Constantly eating, youtube, who falls asleep in the afternoon. Always asking why other people get paid more than him.
Ive known people like this. Wondering why your getting a bonus and they aren't...Almost like it should be a given. Well your getting it so why aren't I? I can almost imagine they said behind my back he's a brown noser etc.
The sort of people who walk down the corridor at 9.05 put their stuff down then head off to make a brew which always seems to take ten minutes along with standing by people's desks chatting.
OP I think the most you can do is make it clear that you support a healthy lifestyle. I.e. You're entitled to an hour at lunch - leave your desk, eat, socialise, to for a walk/gym/swim etc.
I know I have worked for managers who I felt grudged me a lunch break, let alone encouraged me to do something for myself during it. I perform better at work on days when I exercise in the morning; I'm presumably not alone in this - you'll get more out of your people if you succeed in this.
I know I have worked for managers who I felt grudged me a lunch break, let alone encouraged me to do something for myself during it. I perform better at work on days when I exercise in the morning; I'm presumably not alone in this - you'll get more out of your people if you succeed in this.
Dr Jekyll said:
MC Bodge said:
I suspect that the (aggressive) responses to this thread might correlate to the physical condition of the respondents.
I personally find it quite sad that so many people are so inactive/unfit/very overweight. It must be quite limiting.
A lot of people must not care, though.
More to the point we don't see why an employer should care. Or what business it is of yours.I personally find it quite sad that so many people are so inactive/unfit/very overweight. It must be quite limiting.
A lot of people must not care, though.
I've had people working for me who are dedicated gym bunnies, something I find a bit sad, but I didn't take it upon myself to change their lifestyle.
When I said "sad", I meant it in the literal sense.
"être fort pour être utile"
Edited by MC Bodge on Friday 12th January 20:05
Jambo85 said:
OP I think the most you can do is make it clear that you support a healthy lifestyle. I.e. You're entitled to an hour at lunch - leave your desk, eat, socialise, to for a walk/gym/swim etc.
I know I have worked for managers who I felt grudged me a lunch break, let alone encouraged me to do something for myself during it. I perform better at work on days when I exercise in the morning; I'm presumably not alone in this - you'll get more out of your people if you succeed in this.
Simply banning food at desk and making sure all eat at lunchtime = happier workforce. I know I have worked for managers who I felt grudged me a lunch break, let alone encouraged me to do something for myself during it. I perform better at work on days when I exercise in the morning; I'm presumably not alone in this - you'll get more out of your people if you succeed in this.
So many times I've worked through and at 3ish thought no point eating anything now.
Such an easy simple win win.
Sa Calobra said:
Simply banning food at desk and making sure all eat at lunchtime = happier workforce.
So many times I've worked through and at 3ish thought no point eating anything now.
Such an easy simple win win.
So by banning people from doing what they want you make them happier? Doesn't it strike you that if this made them happier they'd do it anyway?So many times I've worked through and at 3ish thought no point eating anything now.
Such an easy simple win win.
Dr Jekyll said:
So by banning people from doing what they want you make them happier? Doesn't it strike you that if this made them happier they'd do it anyway?
I don't know. Banning is a bit strong, but maybe some people don't realise that they might be happier overall and in the long-term without chomping on snacks throughout the day? There is certainly a lot of enthusiasm from a lot of people for the short-term pleasure (A minute on the lips....") gained from the cakes that appear in my office almost daily.
Dr Jekyll said:
So by banning people from doing what they want you make them happier? Doesn't it strike you that if this made them happier they'd do it anyway?
Eating at your desk just like eating whilst you are walking is a miserable affair.Alot of companies don't like eating at your desk. It's not overall productive is it? Maybe only in sales companies and the win there is you give up after a while and just work through.
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