53% of workers in financial services claim to have put on weight as a result of their job, according to a new survey from Canada Life Group Insurance.
In fact, financial services workers come second only to IT workers (56%),
With the combination of stress-related weight gain alongside a largely sedentary working day, the survey results show that 50% of financial sector workers would not recommend their career to someone who wanted to live a healthy lifestyle.
When asked to characterise their working day, financial sector workers were the most likely to spend the majority of their time at work sitting down than any other industry (94% vs. 56% UK average).
Canada Life said this may well contribute to the fact that 53% of those in financial services believe they put on weight because of their working environment, with an average weight gain of 7lbs in a year.
33% of financial sector employees find unhealthy food is easily available in their workplace, compared to a national average of 25%. Workers in this industry are also far more likely to skip lunch or resort to convenience foods when they are stressed or particularly busy (26% vs. 20% UK average). Long working hours prevent 21% of financial sector workers from cooking healthy food once they get home, compared with an average of 13%.
14% of employees in the financial sector blame the stress of their job for putting on weight compared to a UK average of just 9%. As a result, work-related stress has caused 34% to become unwell in the past.
Paul Avis, marketing director at Canada Life Group Insurance, said: “As someone who falls under both the marketing – where 42% of marketing workers say they have put on weight because of their job – and financial sector, you could say I am well placed to comment on these findings.
“Years of unhealthy eating at work can certainly take their toll – just ask my Wii Fit records – and the pounds can creep up on you before you know it.
“While the availability of unhealthy food is certainly something that should be addressed within the UK’s organisations, it is a serious concern to see so many financial sector workers putting on weight because of stress or unhealthy working hours. This can not only lead to dissatisfaction at work, but also health problems and illness. Employers should be sure to implement and communicate initiatives that encourage a healthier lifestyle, or risk facing the inevitable fallout from an unhealthy, overweight and stressed out workforce.”
