Dear Dr Bob,
We pride ourselves on our staff suggestion scheme but recently someone suggested that we demonstrate our commitment to public health by abandoning fast food and unhealthy snacks.
When I look around the staff room – we work in health and social care - many of us are overweight and regularly eat things that are not good for us. In principle, it's a good idea but in practice, I can't see it working.
Help. FD
Dear FD,
As someone who is not reluctant to eat crisps and other delights, you have my sympathy. But if you could make it work, it would have a powerful effect.
We are all influenced by each other in this way and it would make for a healthy workplace.
I'd probably both start small and begin by asking other people around the staff whether they might want to give this a go.
Starting small means lower expectations – I'd resist an all-out push as failure, which is likely given the power of snack promotions, could undermine trust in other things.
I know of some workplaces that have gone full Weight Watchers - other brands are available - with collective weigh-ins. But that, for most of us, a bit extreme.
You could start by looking at the situation that predisposes people to snacking. Is good food available? Is it affordable?
Do staff have time to eat? Is there a workplace culture that encourages snacking? Do you give each other chocolates as gifts?
Certainly, having a debate about the suggestion could help. But be careful – you may be opening up a bigger debate.
But given that you're in the health and social care business, it's probably the right thing to do.
Be prepared to listen and to consider other changes that might make snacking less of a go-to attraction.
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