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Contract Specialties, Inc.
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September 2006
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"When your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt."

-Henry J. Kaiser

The corporate waistline
Obesity in the workplace is getting more and more recognition and attention. Employers are concerned not only with the ever-increasing costs and millions of lost work-days associated with obesity, but the rapid and dramatic increase in obesity over the last few years (74% increase in 10 years). As we continue to shift from a manufacturing economy to a service economy, work environments are becoming more sedentary every year.

Another significant concern shows nearly one-half (47 percent) of American workers believe plus-size workers are being discriminated against in the U.S. workplace by their co-workers and supervisors, according to “American At Work”, a public opinion survey conducted by the Employment Law Alliance (ELA).

“Obesity is at crisis proportions in America as a health issue but not as an employment issue,” said Hirschfeld, CEO and founder of ELA, “at least not yet. Employers have to realize that they are looking at a problem that could rival or surpass that of gender and race discrimination in the workplace. Now is the time for education and communication, or increased regulation and litigation won't be far off.

ELA members are also working closely with their clients to develop and implement employee dietary and fitness programs designed to lower health care costs, decrease absenteeism and increase productivity and morale.

Built to suit every body!
Plus Size Seating from Westin-Nielsen is for installations that need the flexibility of adding seating for larger sizes without sacrificing style and design.

All Plus Size chairs, both standard width and Plus Size widths, have...
  • Passed the 600 lb drop test!
  • Passed the 1,200 lbs static load test!
...and they can be made wider, providing your guests more comfortable seating and plus-size workers a productive workplace environment.


Smooth operator
See technology, performance and good looks come together with the Joseph Noble collection of technology leathers. We’ll give you five great reasons to order a sample of “Smooth”, so you can see for yourself:

  • it’s colorful
  • it’s strong
  • it’s elevating
  • it’s hip
  • it’s what you’ve been waiting for

The Business Case for Weight/Obesity Management White Paper
An estimated 65 percent of U.S. adults over the age of 20 are obese or overweight, and obesity now affects 29 percent of workers. The cost to employers is significant – approximately 9 percent of U.S. health care costs – about $123 billion – are due to obesity and excess weight, and the productivity loss associated with obesity is even higher than what has been reported for tobacco use. See what the white paper has to say about obesity-related diseases and their effects on the business bottom-line.

All the best,

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Bill Meyer
Contract Specialities, Inc. (CSI)

phone: 954-389-1295

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