It’s 3 o’clock. You’ve been sitting at your desk all day and you’re tired and hungry. You see the biscuit tin across the other side of the room, but no – you’re on a diet so you keep walking. You stop briefly to check out the vending machine but it’s full of chocolate and chips.
Famished, you walk into the lunch room to find your colleagues singing happy birthday to Steve from IT. Some sadist passes you a piece of cream cake and you give in. It tastes great, but half an hour later the sugar rush wears off and you’re left feeling exhausted and guilty.
Sound familiar? With sedentary office jobs on the rise and longer working hours becoming the norm, is it any wonder that Australian workers are getting fatter and more unhealthy?
But, in some offices, saying no to a colleague’s home-made birthday cake can cause major offence. In others, turning down an after-work beer can cut you out of the networking loop. So how do we maintain our workplace relationships without comprising our health?
Dietitian Karen Inge says the key to improving workplace health is in the office culture. "Staff wellness and its link to productivity is becoming a big issue and things are already starting to change. In tea rooms, we are seeing low-fat milk as an option, and baskets of fruit beside the biscuit barrel.”
And in the survey mentioned above, more than half of the respondants said their bosses should help them make healthy choices by providing nutritious snacks, giving out gym memberships and providing at-work stress relief massages.
Remember, whatever your workplace culture, there’s plenty of other ways you can take care of yourself at work. Take a packed lunch and plan your snacks (fruit and nuts will keep you full and energised. Fit some activity in on your lunch break (if you don’t have time for the gym, take a brisk walk). And don’t forget to get a good night’s sleep.
Tell us what you think - Is your workplace culture fit or fat? Are you tempted daily by junk, or do you have the option to eat healthily? Do you think your workplace should take more of an active role in your health and wellbeing? Post your comments on our blog below.
Comments(5)
Posted by:Erika Ferguson - 1 May 2008, 9:34pm
I don't believe we need the health food Nazis shoving their oars into the work-place, the anti-smokers are bad enough as it is.
If you can't eat a piece of birthday cake (assuming you're not diabetic), or have one beer after work (again, assuming you're not an alcoholic), then you've got problems. I don?t believe you have the right to stop other people from sharing food or drink because you have a problem. If you generally eat and drink sensibly, then ONE piece of cake, or ONE beer will not cause any major harm. Let's be honest, the problem is not the single piece of cake, it's the cake, followed by half a packet of biscuits, or a carton of ice-cream, or another cake bought on the way home, after work. The one beer isn't a problem, unless it's drunk in conjunction with a couple of packets of chips and some more beers, or followed by several more beers, or perhaps wines or spirits.
What I do think is needed is more in the way of fast, fresh, cheap, good-tasting options in workplace canteens and cafes &c, so that a healthy, affordable lunch is an option - so that people don't end up bolting lollies at 3 p.m., after missing lunch.
Posted by:Frustrated - 1 May 2008, 4:36pm
What's annoying is when you announce you're on a diet everyone just teases you and tries to tempt you with junk food, saying you don't "need" to diet etc. It's as cruel as offering cigarettes to someone who is making an effort to quit smoking.
Posted by:Megan - 1 May 2008, 1:19pm
My employer is a federal government agency based in the Brisbane Airport precinct.
Our office is well planned and equipped with bike storage and showers. Significant numbers of staff ride to work citing environmental, health and economic benefits. The dire traffic congestion in the airport precinct has for many been the final motivator! It is frequently quicker to ride to work than drive!!
The Brisbane Airport Corporation (owner of all airport land) has just this week announced a COMPLETE BAN ON CYCLING on ALL of its roads as of 26 May citing safey concerns (walking, scooters, motor bikes, cars, roller blades, skate boards etc are still 'safe' apparently)!! Many staff have built their lives around cycling to work eg. live locally, do not own a car and are being forced into becoming 'outlaws' by simply riding their bike to work!! Some staff have been riding to work for more than 10 years.
This is an incredibly short sighted and simplistic decision by an organisation claiming environmental and community credentials?!? So although my employer is sending out the right message, BAC seems to have taken on a 'Big Brother' role that will make cycling to work ILLEGAL....BAC are apparently liaising with Qld police to enforce their decision!!!!
Posted by:kl - 1 May 2008, 9:49am
If adults can't take responsibility for their own well being then I fear there is no hope for them. Sorry if that sounds harsh but putting the responsibility for what one puts in ones mouth on your employer is bit nuts don't you think?
Posted by:Cathy - 1 May 2008, 9:39am
I agree with jonothan that it's great riding a bike to work, even if it's just a few km- I ride 3.5 km each way, and am not even hot and sweaty so don't need to shower or change into the dreaded lycra. I arrive at work feeling invigorated and awake, and bring my own lunch every day, so an occasional cake etc is fine. As always it's lifestyle that makes the difference and temporary diets only work temporarily while permanent lifestyle improvements have a long term effect.
I don't believe we need the health food Nazis shoving their oars into the work-place, the anti-smokers are bad enough as it is.
If you can't eat a piece of birthday cake (assuming you're not diabetic), or have one beer after work (again, assuming you're not an alcoholic), then you've got problems. I don?t believe you have the right to stop other people from sharing food or drink because you have a problem. If you generally eat and drink sensibly, then ONE piece of cake, or ONE beer will not cause any major harm. Let's be honest, the problem is not the single piece of cake, it's the cake, followed by half a packet of biscuits, or a carton of ice-cream, or another cake bought on the way home, after work. The one beer isn't a problem, unless it's drunk in conjunction with a couple of packets of chips and some more beers, or followed by several more beers, or perhaps wines or spirits.
What I do think is needed is more in the way of fast, fresh, cheap, good-tasting options in workplace canteens and cafes &c, so that a healthy, affordable lunch is an option - so that people don't end up bolting lollies at 3 p.m., after missing lunch.
What's annoying is when you announce you're on a diet everyone just teases you and tries to tempt you with junk food, saying you don't "need" to diet etc. It's as cruel as offering cigarettes to someone who is making an effort to quit smoking.
My employer is a federal government agency based in the Brisbane Airport precinct.
Our office is well planned and equipped with bike storage and showers. Significant numbers of staff ride to work citing environmental, health and economic benefits. The dire traffic congestion in the airport precinct has for many been the final motivator! It is frequently quicker to ride to work than drive!!
The Brisbane Airport Corporation (owner of all airport land) has just this week announced a COMPLETE BAN ON CYCLING on ALL of its roads as of 26 May citing safey concerns (walking, scooters, motor bikes, cars, roller blades, skate boards etc are still 'safe' apparently)!! Many staff have built their lives around cycling to work eg. live locally, do not own a car and are being forced into becoming 'outlaws' by simply riding their bike to work!! Some staff have been riding to work for more than 10 years.
This is an incredibly short sighted and simplistic decision by an organisation claiming environmental and community credentials?!? So although my employer is sending out the right message, BAC seems to have taken on a 'Big Brother' role that will make cycling to work ILLEGAL....BAC are apparently liaising with Qld police to enforce their decision!!!!
If adults can't take responsibility for their own well being then I fear there is no hope for them. Sorry if that sounds harsh but putting the responsibility for what one puts in ones mouth on your employer is bit nuts don't you think?
I agree with jonothan that it's great riding a bike to work, even if it's just a few km- I ride 3.5 km each way, and am not even hot and sweaty so don't need to shower or change into the dreaded lycra. I arrive at work feeling invigorated and awake, and bring my own lunch every day, so an occasional cake etc is fine.
As always it's lifestyle that makes the difference and temporary diets only work temporarily while permanent lifestyle improvements have a long term effect.