Obesity/Weight Management Employer Survey and Interview Project

68. What do you think the main benefits oradvantages are your employer by having aworkplace obesity program?Major advantages in having such a program, preferablyfor wellness and not limited to obesity, would includefewer injuries at work and home, less lost work timeincluding both absenteeism and presenteeism, andhealth insurance premium reductions.69. From the potential sources of information, whatdo you use and why?Information used and accessed most is that from CDC,non-profits such as the AHA, and from safety sources.Internally, the company has an intranet but thatmay not be highly used on a regular basis. Effectiveways to deal with higher management is via email.Short messages to managers might also be effective.Interviewee noted that information on sustainabilityof programs as well as competitor or like industryexamples, cost/benefit information, and information onwhat neighboring worksites are doing would be helpful.70. Very few employers are working with communitybasedorganizations around obesity and healthissues according to survey responses. Hasyour organization formed partnerships aroundemployee health generally and/or obesityspecifically?No partnerships. Only ones known to have been inplace are discounts to local gyms. Interviewee has nothad experience with these organizations.Employer Interview H71. Could you begin by telling us a little more aboutyourself?Interviewee is the Safety Coordinator at a productmanufacturing facility for a diversified manufacturer.Products include:E Locking systems for a wide variety of applicationssuch as office furniture, cabinetry, motorcycles,postal boxes, vending machines, and computers,E Ergonomic computer support products includingkeyboard arms and flat panel monitor mounts, andE Gauges and exhaust systems for high-performanceboatsMajor company locations are in the South and Midwest.Interviewee’s responsibilities are with all aspects ofworker safety — training, policy development andimplementation, investigations and audits, purchaserequests related to safety equipment, and evolvingsupport for the Human Resource benefits function.This location in the Midwest has about 200 employees.Overall, the company has about 600 employees.72. Did you consult with others to complete theonline survey? NO73. Tell me about your obesity prevention program.The company does not have a program on obesity.Employees on their own have started a weightmanagement group that includes weekly weigh-insand a competition, with a winner every 16 weeks whoreceives a gift card. This has all been developed byemployees on their own.74. From your own experience, what is the processyou have used or observed for what youconsidered when deciding how and what todiscuss with your employees?Weight management and obesity are viewed aspersonal issues for the employee and the companyfinds it a challenge to address such personal issues. Wedo provide information and education about health andhealth issues such as obesity but feel that employeesmust make their own decisions.Observationally, we do not seem to have much of aproblem in our workforce at this site.We do talk about health as part of our ergonomicsdiscussion with employees when we also encouragestretching and walking, etc. Providing education toemployees and their families about how good healthhelps an individual both at work and at home wouldbe a part of an approach where we might want tonote that behaviors and health status that affects thecompany and work also may affect the employee andhis/her home life.E Precision ball bearing slides for office furniture,appliances, tool boxes, ATM’s and server racks,Obesity/Weight Management Employer Survey and Interview Project 79