A 'Benefit' Employees Can Do Without

Sadly most people want a fast medical solution to their obesity problem rather than taking the pounds off slowly and patiently while undergoing a lifestyle change. Many years ago I worked as a receptionistPBX operator for a major fitness company at their company headquarters in California. As one of the benefits employees got free membership in the gyms. Now you would think that the company would require their headquarters employees especially those the public saw such as those working in the reception area to be fit and healthy...alas it was not so. Inspite of where we were employed we were as unfit as any other Americans. Becoming aware of this the company hired Weight Watchers and encouraged all employees in need of it to join the company paid all dues. They replaced the junk in the snack machines with healthy things such as fruit removed all but sugar free soda from the premises and did their best to try to help us improve our health. Some of us myself included were grateful for the help and availed themselves to all they offered but most did not. In spite of the free use of the gym free childcare while parents worked out at the gym health alternatives to junk food and monetary incentives to lose weight most of the employees made no effort to change. Those who continued to eat junk food simply took the elevator down to the cafeteria and purchased it there. The company made one last effort to effect change. Our company was one block away from the Metrolink station. The company offered monetary incentives to all who took nonvehicular transportation to the station bicycles or walking rode the train to work and rode their bicycles or walked to the building they even provided bike racks and locks on the floors we occupied. Exactly 10 people out of an office population of 700 signed up for this myself included. My point is a company can offer all of the healthy incentives it wants but it cannot make it's employees change unless they truly want to.