my firm introduced a “largest loser” weight reduction contest
A reader writes:
My firm introduced a “largest loser” weight reduction problem at present and instantly my abdomen sank. This was despatched by the proprietor/founding father of my small civil engineering firm (about 40 staff). That is nonetheless so recent for me I don’t even actually have the phrases to specific what number of methods it is a horrible concept and would love your ideas.
I’ve the phrases.
And people phrases start with: how is that this nonetheless taking place within the yr of our lord 2025?
It’s unbelievable that so many workplaces are nonetheless oblivious to how very problematic weight reduction competitions could be for many individuals — individuals with consuming issues, at the beginning, but in addition anybody who’s making an attempt to have a more healthy relationship with meals or keep away from eating regimen tradition, individuals who want preserve their weight or acquire weight (the idea that everybody ought to lose weight is absolutely bizarre), anybody who’s involved about crash weight-reduction plan, anybody who does wish to shed pounds however doesn’t wish to interact with their coworkers about the way it’s going, or anybody who merely doesn’t contemplate their eating regimen or their weight to be any of their employer’s enterprise.
That’s a lot of individuals, all advised.
In case your employer desires to encourage staff to make wholesome selections, they’re welcome to offer wholesome snacks, subsidize health club memberships, and supply glorious medical health insurance. Making a contest round crash weight-reduction plan isn’t the way in which to do it.
Are you up for pushing again about it? Ideally you’d speak to somebody with some affect over it (HR is perhaps the appropriate place to begin) and level out that consultants advise towards these competitions as a result of they’re dangerous for such a variety of individuals.