Survey: Almost Half of Workers Have Gained Weight on the Job - by Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources for CareerBuilder.com

A fatter paycheck is something every employee loves. But for some workers, their bank accounts aren't the only things expanding.

Forty-six percent of workers report they have gained weight since starting their current jobs - according to CareerBuilder.com's "Work and Health 2006" survey. One-in-five workers say they are more than 10 pounds heavier, while nearly one-in-ten workers have packed on more than 20 pounds.

It comes as no surprise - with today's tight schedules come tighter waistbands. Who has time to cook healthy meals and exercise regularly?

Finding time to cook healthy meals and hit the gym after a long work day can be challenging. Unfortunately, employers are complicating matters by supplying far more vending machines than wellness incentives. Eighty percent of workers report their companies don't offer gym passes, workout facilities or weight loss programs to help them stay in shape, up from 73 percent last year.

If unwanted pounds are weighing you down and your employer doesn't offer wellness incentives, here are some simple and easy tips for you to fight the bulge while on the job:

Use your commute.
If you drive to work, park farther away from the office. If you use public transportation, get off the bus or train a stop or two early and walk the rest of the way. Burn even more calories by taking the stairs instead of riding the elevator.

Stock up on brown bags.
One-third of workers say they buy their lunches instead of bringing them at least three times a week; 12 percent eat out every day. By packing your own lunches, you can control portions and lessen the strain on both your waistband and your wallet.

Put in some face time.
Instead of relying on instant messaging or e-mail when you need to chat with a colleague, walk over and talk to them face-to-face. Those extra steps will add up.

Only eat when you're hungry.
Many workers turn to food to ease their boredom and stress. Keep a bottle of water at your desk and drink it throughout the day to curb your urge to chow down.

Snack smart.
One-third of workers say they snack at least twice a day at work, and 40 percent eat more unhealthy snacks at work than they do at home. Skip the vending machines and start packing healthier snacks like crackers or raw veggies.

Survey Methodology
The survey, "Work and Health," was conducted from June 6 to June 16, 2006. Methodology used to collect survey responses totaling more than 2,200 workers for this study involved selecting a random sample of comScore Networks panel members. These Web Panel members were approached via an e-mail invitation, which asked them to participate in a short online survey. The results of this survey are statistically accurate to within +/- 2.08 percentage points (19 times out of 20).

Rosemary Haefner is CareerBuilder.com's Vice President of Human Resources and Senior Career Adviser. She is an expert in recruitment trends and tactics, job seeker behavior, workplace issues, employee attitudes and HR initiatives.

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