Like Leg Iron, I am self-employed, so, like him, I am not faced with this type of stuff:
Staff planning their office Christmas party may have to think again before ordering all the trimmings and mince pies. The boss could be expecting them to step on the scales the morning after.
Weight Watchers plans to get nine-to-fivers fit by selling its dietary services to companies the length and breadth of the nation. It is offering to run classes during the lunch hour or immediately after work, when its staff will give out advice on what food and drink to do without in order to bring the belt down a notch.
The scales will be brought into the office once a week for “weigh-ins”. Confidentiality is promised, although one suspects mischievous colleagues will find ways of obtaining those terrifying numbers.
Railtrack used to buy into this kind of thing. Ten years or so ago, their attempts were relatively innocuous; encouraging us to join the local gym with discounts and the occasional health check in the lunch hour. Being a manager in a fairly high-profile role, I did once, succumb to a health check that told me nothing that I did not already know, but heaven and hell between them would not get me through the doors of a gym. And, frankly, any employer started trying to get involved in my weight would get short shrift. My lunch hours are mine and when work is done, I go to my home; a place that the employer has no dominion over and never will.
For the employer it will help cut healthcare costs and cut down on the number of days staff are off sick, and I don’t think employees will have a problem with taking part.
Well, that will prove an interesting outcome. There will always be people like me and Leg Iron who will refuse to take part. So long as it is entirely voluntary and there is no coercion, then fine, but despite any wittering about health costs; ultimately, it is none of the employer’s business how much we weigh. The exchange between employer and employee is time, expertise and labour for money. That’s it. The rest, including how we spend our lives is none of their damned business.
“So long as it is entirely voluntary and there is no coercion, then fine, but despite any wittering about health costs; ultimately, it is none of the employer’s business how much we weigh.”
For most jobs, no. Although for some, those where physical fitness is required, then they do indeed need to have a say…
JuliaMs last blog post..‘Eight Legged Freaks … !’
Well, clearly where physical fitness is a requirement for the job, yes, I agree. But you know that up front anyway. However, I don’t see the fire brigade, police or armed forces bringing in weight watchers, though.
It seems, via the Englishman’s Castle, that obesity might be an advantage as well as a disadvantage… 😉
JuliaMs last blog post..‘Eight Legged Freaks … !’
All females working in the ‘caring professions’ are issued with a size 18 uniform, and if it fits, they get the job.