If you value your health, you work out on a regular schedule, and pride yourself on following a healthy diet. But besides the valuable benefits for your body, you may actually be gaining advantages in the workplace, as well. New research suggests that keeping your weight in control may mean the difference between finding, or even holding onto, employment!

In today’s economy, and with almost 10% unemployment, we all have to stay on our toes, as any job can be eliminated at any moment. And as if this wasn’t enough pressure, the obesity epidemic is now affecting employment issues. A 2008 Wayne State University study determined that overweight workers are viewed negatively by perspective employers, especially when applying for a job with face-to-face interactions.

Studies show that employers are now placing a larger-than-ever emphasis on current and future employees’ waistlines. Researchers have found that these adults are associated with three very negative traits: 1.) higher absentee levels; 2.) lower productivity; and 3.) higher healthcare costs.

Employers Bearing the Health Care Load
As such, companies of all sizes are searching for ways to limit costs, especially for health care. This means that only the best performers and employees are safe, and all others are at risk — especially overweight and/or obese workers, whose are believed to account for an estimated 1/3 of the entire American population.  And to make matter worse, the workplace may actually be contributing to the weight gain: normal job-related stress, long hours, and poor dietary habits and vending machines all play a large part.

“I think employers are doing what they feel they need to do. Their profits are down, and they’ve got to look at ways to cut costs,” stated author Marsha Petrie Sue, a noted expert on personal accountability issues. “If you have two people apply for a job, and one is overweight and one is not, who would you hire? You know they have to be thinking about it.” Petrie says that this debate is only beginning: “You can legislate not discriminating against someone for sexual orientation or based on their gender. But you can’t really legislate responsibility.”

Until now, fired overweight and obese workers have not had much success in suing under the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, new legal provisions may enable these individuals to score more victories, and make it much easier to do so. Plus, multiple lawsuits have resulted in companies being responsible for paying for overweight employees’ bariatric surgeries that were caused by work-related injuries.

Turning the Tables on Obese Workers
For this reason, employers are going to make efforts to ensure the healthy weight of their workers. “Some employers have gotten very aggressive with their smoking policies, even dismissing workers who smoke on their own time, says Denise Wheeler, an employment lawyer with Fowler White Boggs in Fort Myers, Fla. “Are we going to see employers checking the BMI (body mass index) of workers and deciding they’ll terminate if it reaches a certain number?” Employers are making efforts to provide exercise programs, as well as instilling weight-based performance standards.

Even now, heavier employees pay higher health care premiums. “I do think employers have some responsibility. If they don’t have a wellness program, they can go to a local gym and negotiate a deal so employees can go for 30 minutes every day and exercise, and still be paid for that time,” says Petrie Sue. “They also need to get rid of the donuts and coffee in the break room and instead have healthy options and a refrigerator so people can bring healthy food.”

For obese job-seekers and current employees, it may be best to be honest about their weight management efforts. “You can just mention in an interview that you’re on a real health kick. I think that way you’re sending a clear message, states Petrie Sue. “If the employee has health issues, the employer may ask what they can do to help, but they’re also going to ask the employee what they think the consequences should be for not changing.”

Source: http://www.rgj.com/article/20091210/BIZ/912100317/1071