, of course, is a comedy, and its outrageousness is meant to be funny. But the thing is, some companies still do hold weight-loss challenges as part of their wellness programs, whether it’s part of a more general “wellness challenge” or its own thing. And the implications of these in the real world aren’t always so funny.
Plus, these workplace challenges don’t actually accomplish the goal that the employers likely had in mind: bettering the wellness of their employees. Once employers have put in place those big things, they can think about those wellness programs or challenges as an added measure. In fact, fitness or “healthy lifestyle incentives” ranked fourth in that survey of what employees want. Done right, wellness efforts like these can be a positive thing and promote happy and healthy employees. They can help create a supportive culture rather than a toxic one—employers just need to keep a few things in mind.