Helping Employees Be Healthy

There’s something to be said for encouraging good health among employees. Actually, it makes financial sense, as well. When people are healthy they tend to be more productive and out of the office less.

Most people notice a boost in energy when they start exercising regularly, which often translates into more energy in every aspect of their life. For people who are overweight, that increase in energy is usually magnified.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of American adults considered overweight or obese has more than doubled since the mid 1970s (from 15 percent to almost 33 percent). That trend has translated directly into a loss of production in the workplace and an increase in healthcare costs.

Employers who are savvy about the health of their employees might benefit from including wellness programs in their compensation packages. Employers who already incorporate fitness centers into their office space or discounts to local gyms could also include exercise classes, sponsorships in weight–loss programs and healthy food options in cafeterias.

For more options on weight–loss programs for employees, visit the Society for Human Resource Management at www.shrm.org, or for more information on obesity and its impact on the American workplace, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov.