(The Associated Press circulated the following on January 21.)
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific says the voluntary programs it offers to help employees lose weight and improve their fitness are working.
About 1,500 of the railroad’s 50,000 employees have participated in the programs over the past two years.
Railroad spokesman James Barnes says those 1,500 employees lost 15,501 pounds — or an average of about 10 pounds apiece.
Union Pacific offers a health-risk assessment to employees and their spouses and makes sure employees have access to exercise facilities.
Railroad human resources vice president Barbara Schaefer says healthy employees are more productive and safer.
Union Pacific’s employee wellness programs have been recognized by the National Business Group on Health.