Overweight people at work
Discussion
Ari said:
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.
Not remotely angry, just astounded that you seem to feel you have the right to set some kind of weight limit and/or judge people by their weight.You must be some kind of s
t hot doctor if you can make those sorts of judgements. Oh wait, no, you're a 'Travel agent & cultural mediator'. 
Offer free fruit. Easy.
As a company director I wouldn't be asking for advice on such a menial matter on PH.
AndStilliRise said:
OP have you thought about implementing a occupational health visit once a year for your employees? They would cover it in that and could indirectly make some points?
This is a very good suggestion, we could roll something out for all workers to avoid looking like I am singling someone out.Jambo85 said:
Can't believe the bashing the OP is getting for this! I wish my employer cared about my health!
Thank you for this reply, yes I am only trying to help and getting slated for it.It's so easy to be negative and says a lot more about the people who take the time to reply to topics like this than it does about me.
No doubt its the "fatties" that have a problem with this discussion.
KrissKross said:
xjay1337 said:
As a company director I wouldn't be asking for advice on such a menial matter on PH.
Perhaps you are a fat person expert, I am not, unfortunately.Also, where would you ask for advice, and what is to say I haven't done the same as well?
My superiors doesn't care that I scoff chocolate at my desk. Mainly because they understand I eat at work to cover up the fact I'm deeply upset by working for such a
of a boss.Also, I don't suggest you ask for advice on running a business on PH.
That shows you don't really know how to run a business. It's also very clear you don't know how to interact with people.
xjay1337 said:
KrissKross said:
xjay1337 said:
As a company director I wouldn't be asking for advice on such a menial matter on PH.
Perhaps you are a fat person expert, I am not, unfortunately.Also, where would you ask for advice, and what is to say I haven't done the same as well?
My superiors doesn't care that I scoff chocolate at my desk. Mainly because they understand I eat at work to cover up the fact I'm deeply upset by working for such a
of a boss.Also, I don't suggest you ask for advice on running a business on PH.
That shows you don't really know how to run a business. It's also very clear you don't know how to interact with people.
I am a bad boss because I am raising this subject.
I don't know how to run a business but you work for someone else?
You hate your boss.
You are deeply upset.
You eat lots of chocolate.
Ok, great, thank you!
KrissKross said:
AndStilliRise said:
OP have you thought about implementing a occupational health visit once a year for your employees? They would cover it in that and could indirectly make some points?
This is a very good suggestion, we could roll something out for all workers to avoid looking like I am singling someone out.xjay1337 said:
Also, I don't suggest you ask for advice on running a business on PH.
That shows you don't really know how to run a business. It's also very clear you don't know how to interact with people.
Does anyone know how to run a business really?That shows you don't really know how to run a business. It's also very clear you don't know how to interact with people.
By and large management isn't taught and very few people have a natural gift for it. Those who admit they haven't got it all figured out tend to be the better ones to work for in my experience.
KrissKross said:
xjay1337 said:
KrissKross said:
xjay1337 said:
As a company director I wouldn't be asking for advice on such a menial matter on PH.
Perhaps you are a fat person expert, I am not, unfortunately.Also, where would you ask for advice, and what is to say I haven't done the same as well?
My superiors doesn't care that I scoff chocolate at my desk. Mainly because they understand I eat at work to cover up the fact I'm deeply upset by working for such a
of a boss.Also, I don't suggest you ask for advice on running a business on PH.
That shows you don't really know how to run a business. It's also very clear you don't know how to interact with people.
I am a bad boss because I am raising this subject.
I don't know how to run a business but you work for someone else?
You hate your boss.
You are deeply upset.
You eat lots of chocolate.
Ok, great, thank you!
There are several good options, EG longest treadmill distance in an hour wins £500 or whatever, free fruit etc.
FYI, my boss is excellent, I work from home 90% of the time and my unhappiness is not caused by my work - primarily because he (nor my peers) care what I eat at lunch :-)
OP I think you need to slowly change the culture of the office to a more health conscious one. You could launch a new team building initiative that's a series of healthy activities that start of easy and slowly ramp up. I.e. a short walk to start and slowly ramp up to the whole office entering something like the London to Brighton bike ride (sorry if you live the other end of the country - that's a local example for me).
This could lead on to implementing things like;
Cycle to work scheme so people can get a decent bike.
My mates old work paid 10p a mile for cycle/walking commuting to work instead of driving.
Company health insurance. Pru Health give cash back for doing healthy things like the gym.
Ban eating at your desk and insist people take a lunch break. This is good for everyone.
Team building weekends away doing moderately active stuff - if this person suddenly discovers dingy sailing is for them then they are going to make healthier choices to improve their sailing. Or at least they wont be in front of the TV all the time.
Couch to 5k for the whole office and a reward of extra holiday if you complete it.
As a bit of a porker myself I would like to be "swept along" with stuff like the above.
This could lead on to implementing things like;
Cycle to work scheme so people can get a decent bike.
My mates old work paid 10p a mile for cycle/walking commuting to work instead of driving.
Company health insurance. Pru Health give cash back for doing healthy things like the gym.
Ban eating at your desk and insist people take a lunch break. This is good for everyone.
Team building weekends away doing moderately active stuff - if this person suddenly discovers dingy sailing is for them then they are going to make healthier choices to improve their sailing. Or at least they wont be in front of the TV all the time.
Couch to 5k for the whole office and a reward of extra holiday if you complete it.
As a bit of a porker myself I would like to be "swept along" with stuff like the above.
KrissKross said:
Dr Jekyll said:
it is none of the employers business.
It is absolutely my business..It isn't at all unusual for a caring employer to, you know, care about his or her staff, and to acknowledge that the third of a day that they spend at work could be usefully focussed on living (and working) healthily. Those who think it's too paternalistic or none of his business are rather missing the genuinely concerned point he's making I think.
My employer provides free fruit, we have a gym on site and even a climbing wall! We have a lovely nature reserve next door perfect for a stroll if you are fortunate enough to get an hour for lunch. Unfortunately for the overweight we also have a canteen that serves a full English breakfast and a Costa coffee. Many of the work force require annual medicals myself included, our weight is measured and advised upon but not critical, blood pressure however is so it is fairly important to keep on top of any weight problem. The workforce that isn’t subjected to the medical tests seems far more prone to obesity and a couple of employees look morbidly obese but I guess it’s their choice. My employer has done all they can and yet some people won’t take the hint, you may find you’re wasting your time and money trying.
djc206 said:
My employer provides free fruit, we have a gym on site and even a climbing wall! We have a lovely nature reserve next door perfect for a stroll if you are fortunate enough to get an hour for lunch. Unfortunately for the overweight we also have a canteen that serves a full English breakfast and a Costa coffee. Many of the work force require annual medicals myself included, our weight is measured and advised upon but not critical, blood pressure however is so it is fairly important to keep on top of any weight problem. The workforce that isn’t subjected to the medical tests seems far more prone to obesity and a couple of employees look morbidly obese but I guess it’s their choice. My employer has done all they can and yet some people won’t take the hint, you may find you’re wasting your time and money trying.
Perhaps the best suggestions so far. Like the idea of company-paid annual medical reviews for all (although as someone in reasonable health who struggles with high blood pressure, maybe that is me on a warning!).The reality is that it is great to have a company who cares about the health of the staff....ours also offers free fruit, and tries to encourage company sports activities)...
.....but whilst you can lead a horse to water, you can't make it drink.
By all means try to encourage healthier lifestyles through whatever means you sensibly can....but the one you are "targeting" will in all probability chose to not take part, I suspect.
From the work perspective, of course you can have proper performance reviews (be sure that they are 'equal for all' in how they operate), & whilst your concern is (imho) laudable, I suspect there isn't much else you can proactively do.
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