The need to improve the health, attendance and productivity of employees through a healthy weight program is undeniable. A comprehensive, employer-supported healthy weight program can reduce overall health care expenditures for weight-related medical conditions and improve employee productivity, morale and quality of life.

What can you do?

With a strong EAP in place, you have already provided a valuable resource for employees. The EAP is available to conduct a detailed assessment, facilitate linkages with available resources, and provide motivational counseling and support.

A strong outreach initiative can also make a difference. Weight loss of even 5 percent to 10 percent can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and prevent the development of type 2 diabetes, thereby reducing the direct and indirect costs of these conditions.

Enlisting senior leadership support

The success of the healthy weight outreach initiative requires strong support from senior leadership as well as corporate communications or human resources to enable broad communication efforts. With senior leadership support, the initiative takes on a more prominent role within the organization and creates cooperation from all levels. We encourage you to take an aggressive approach in implementing this healthy weight initiative.

To support your efforts, ValueOptions has crafted communication tools, including:

» A Workplace Strategy for Reducing the Costs of Obesity PowerPoint Presentation

» Sample Memo From Senior Management

Reinforcing the role of supervisors

Supervisors play a key role in identifying employees who may benefit from a referral to the EAP. Supervisors may be aware of personal struggles an employee is facing such as an existing medical issue or stress. While these concerns may not immediately cause job performance problems such as absenteeism or reduced productivity, the supervisor can informally remind the employee of the resources and availability of the EAP.

Early intervention can help employees access services that will help them take control of their weight and develop a healthy lifestyle.

Establish a workgroup

A cornerstone to the success of the initiative is the formation of an interdisciplinary workgroup from the outset. The function of this group is not only to create a healthy weight program for your organization, but also to meet regularly to continuously evaluate the program, identify trends, and enhance and develop the program.

We look forward to working together with you on this critical health issue.