How Your Workplace Habits Can Harm Your Health

By Dennis McCafferty | Posted 2017-06-21

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How Your Workplace Habits Can Harm Your Health

A majority of employees think they're overweight, and they can blame their workplace lifestyle. But there are steps workers can take to get—and stay—healthy.
Big Picture

56% of the workers surveyed think they are overweight, even though 59% of the respondents said they exercise on a regular basis.
Elevating Issue

45% believe they've gained weight at their present job, with 25% saying they've gained more than 10 pounds at their current position.
Top Work Roles for Gaining Weight

Financial services: 57%, Health care: 50%, Transportation: 50%, Sales: 50%, IT: 44%
Office Temptations

73% of the employees surveyed snack on the job, and 12% eat food from a vending machine at least once a week.
Parked Position

51% said they gain weight because they sit at a desk for most of the day.
Exhausted State

45% said they put on pounds because they're too tired from work to exercise.
Food Frenzy

38% of the employees surveyed said they gain weight because they eat more than they should due to stress.
Calendar Conflict

38% said they have no time to exercise either before or after work.
Menu Option

24% of the employees surveyed said they eat out for lunch at least three times a week instead of bringing lunch from home, which helps control calories.
Lost Opportunity

28% said their company provides gym passes, workout facilities or wellness benefits, but 63% of those workers said they don't take advantage of those resources.
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A clear majority of professionals feel they are overweight, even when they exercise on a regular basis, according to a recent survey from CareerBuilder. To a large extent, they can blame the workplace lifestyle, findings reveal. Most employees snack on the job, while sitting at a desk all day. They frequently eat more than they should due to stress. And many dine out several times a week instead of bagging their lunch, even though preparing your own lunch is a great way to control portions with healthy ingredients. It helps that many companies provide gym passes, workout facilities and wellness benefits, but more professionals need to take better advantage of these resources. "Employee health is an incredibly important issue for employers, as suboptimal health can negatively impact workplace productivity, efficiency and morale," said Rosemary Haefner, chief human resources officer at CareerBuilder. "Providing employees the tools they need to get and stay healthy, then encouraging their workers to use these benefits, is a surefire way to maximize your talent and encourage employee loyalty." A total of 3,420 workers took part in the research, which was conducted by Harris Poll.

Dennis McCafferty is a freelance writer for Baseline Magazine.