BT’s workplace health campaign sees staff shed the tonnes

BT workers have lost 10 tonnes of weight since the telecoms giant launched the UK’s biggest workplace health campaign last September.

BT launched the £40,000 campaign after it emerged that one of their employees was dying every two weeks from a heart-related illness.

More than 16,000 staff signed up for the 16-week Work Fit campaign, which included free kitbags containing pedometers and health-food vouchers and involved a series of simple lifestyle and diet changes and moderate exercises.

A dedicated Work Fit intranet site was set up which included access to nurses who acted as lifestyle advisers, answered e-mail questions and provided dietary and fitness advice.

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Individuals were also sent tailored weekly activity programmes and tips for help in lifestyle improvements, such as information on food and reducing cholesterol.

Dave Wallington, BT group health and safety adviser, said it was heartening to see people making real changes to their lifestyles.