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Clark Howard's Tips

Employers shunning overweight workers

October 13, 2005

Heavy people are having a hard time in the workplace.

According to USA Today, employers may be turning down overweight workers because they cost so much more in healthcare costs.

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A worker who weighs 30 pounds over a healthy weight costs a company about 50 percent more than a worker of healthy weight.

Also, men who are overweight miss two-thirds more days of work each year than men of normal weight. For women, it's 50 percent more missed time.

Clark would like companies to emphasize healthy eating and fitness programs instead of canning overweight people. Gyms at work are also a great idea.

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