14 News, WFIE, Evansville, Henderson, OwensboroDropping pounds at work

Dropping pounds at work

Reporter: Shannon Samson
New Media Producer: Nick Storm

If someone at home is nagging you to get in shape, you may hear the same thing at work. A bill recently introduced on capitol hill aims to improve employee health through workplace wellness programs.  

Old National Bank employees file into the auditorium to face their worst enemy, the scale. For Angie Briggs in loan operations, these weekly weigh-ins at work are paying off.

Angie Briggs, bank employee, says, "I've never lost weight before and this time, I've lost 25 pounds."

She owes her success to Weight Watchers and the support of coworkers. It was collections supervisor Trish Scott's idea to start the program at work and has since lost 29 pounds herself.

Trish Scott, bank employee, says, "I presented it to human resources and told them the benefits that it was going to teach us to eat healthier, and to lead a better lifestyle, and make better choices, and healthier choices and they let us do it."

Studies have shown for every dollar companies spend on wellness programs, they save about $3 in reduced medical claims and absenteeism. That's why when employees approached banking center manager Chris Dunning about starting a "biggest loser" weight loss contest, he didn't hesitate to make it happen.

Chris Dunning, banking center manager, says, "Healthier employees are employees that show up every day, employees that are happier, so it's kind of a win-win all the way around."

In the biggest loser contest, employees keep their weights a secret until the end. That's not the case for those in Weight Watchers, but the dieters say that just serves as extra motivation.

Scott, says, "As long as you're in front of your coworkers you're going to be good and I think we encourage one another. If somebody sees me pick up something they know I shouldn't have, they're like. 'what are you doing?'"

Briggs, says, "Just being accountable every week makes me stop and think about the choices that I make."

Since its introduction, the Healthy Workforce Act has been referred to the senate committee on finance.

The winners of the biggest loser contest at Old National Bank, two people will share $555. The one who loses the most weight and the one who loses the highest percentage of weight.