Today, over half (56 percent) of the U.S. workforce believe they are overweight. Workers blame weight gain on a host of reasons tied to their jobs – sitting at a desk most of the day (51 percent), too tired from work to exercise (45 percent), and no time to exercise before or after work (38 percent) top the list.
According to a recent CareerBuilder survey, 64 percent of workers say their employers do not offer wellness benefits, but if offered, 42 percent say they would take advantage.
What Does This Mean for You?
Sometimes just offering benefits isn’t enough – employers must encourage their employees to take advantage of wellness benefits.
Twenty-eight percent of workers say their company provides gym passes, workout facilities or wellness benefits, but 63 percent of this group don’t take advantage of them. Employers who truly want to strive to improve health in the workplace (there’s a lot of research about how healthy workers improve workplace productivity) should make sure employees are aware of their wellness options and encourage them to participate. Consider hosting a wellness fair, a fun contest or friendly competition to encourage fitness activity, and ask managers to talk to their teams about the importance of exercise and a healthy diet.
Learn four qualities to look for in a benefits administration partner.
