The Redmond Company is sponsoring weight-loss program for its employees

Nov 20, 2006 13:39 GMT  ·  By

Overweight and obese Microsoft is on a diet. And has been since 2002. Up until 2006, Microsoft employees from the fattest nation on Earth have lost a total of 61,100 pounds. And no less than 2,152 workers from the Redmond Company are responsible for shedding the weight. Undoubtedly, this is one area where Microsoft is welcoming the loss.

US statistics reveal that excess fat is equivalent with an average of 20% increase in corporate medical claims. In this context, Microsoft has taken an active approach to catalyze employee wastage and concomitantly limit medical bills.

The Redmond Company has offered to sponsor its employees that get involved in clinical weight-loss programs by covering 80% of their bills, or an average of $6.000 dollars via weight management benefits. Cecily Hall, Microsoft's director of U.S. Benefits revealed that the Redmond Company's initiative has paid off. "These people are coming off of prescription drugs, they're seeing their primary care physician less, and not having as much hospitalization," stated Hall.