Eating disorders in the workplace - Support Room

An eating disorder is a mental disorder characterized by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake. Examples of eating disorders include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder. These disorders can have serious physical and psychological consequences and often require professional treatment.

Warning signs of an eating disorder are:

Here are some common warning signs of an eating disorder:

• Rapid weight loss or gain
• Preoccupation with food, weight, and body shape
• Extreme restriction of food intake
• Binge eating or purging
• Obsessive counting of calories or fat grams
• Skipping meals or avoiding eating in front of others
• Secretive or ritualistic eating patterns
• Using laxatives, diuretics, or other weight loss aids
• Excessive exercise, even when injured or ill
• Extremely negative body image or self-esteem
• Changes in mood or behavior, such as depression, anxiety, or irritability
• Refusal to eat certain foods, strict adherence to food rules, or cutting out entire food groups
• Difficulty to concentrate and irregular performance at work or school

Please note that these warning signs may not be present in all cases, and eating disorders can manifest in different ways. It’s important to seek professional help if you suspect that someone you know may have an eating disorder.

how can eating what an eating disorder-informed workplace look like

• An eating disorder-informed workplace can take several forms, but some key elements may include:
• Education and awareness: Providing information and resources on eating disorders and their signs and symptoms to employees and managers.
• Confidentiality and respect: Ensuring that employees who disclose an eating disorder feel safe and respected and that their privacy is protected.
• Accommodations: Making adjustments to the workplace environment and schedule to support employees with eating disorders, such as flexible working hours or time off for appointments.
• Support and resources: Offering counseling or therapy services, employee assistance programs, or other resources for employees with eating disorders.
• Diversion of Stigma: Creating a culture of acceptance and understanding, and avoiding stigmatization or discrimination against individuals with eating disorders.
• Health and wellness programs : Encouraging healthy eating and physical activity, and promoting overall mental and physical well-being among all employees, not just those with eating disorders
• It’s important to note that it’s not only the employer’s responsibility to create an eating disorder-informed workplace, but also the employees should be aware of how to support their colleagues and how to ask for help.

Here are some tips for employers on how to support employees with eating disorders:

• Educate yourself and your management team about eating disorders and their signs and symptoms.
• Create a confidential and safe space for employees to disclose their eating disorder and seek support.
• Be flexible and understanding with employees who need accommodations, such as time off for appointments or schedule changes.
• Offer resources such as counseling or therapy services, employee assistance programs, or other support.
• Encourage a culture of understanding and acceptance, and actively work to prevent stigmatization or discrimination of employees with eating disorders.
• Be proactive in promoting healthy eating and physical activity, and overall mental and physical well-being for all employees.
• Be patient and understanding as employees with eating disorders may require additional support and accommodations.
• Be respectful of employee’s privacy and do not disclose any information about their eating disorder to other colleagues without their consent.
• Encourage employees to seek professional help if they suspect they or their colleagues have an eating disorder.
• Continuously monitor the work environment to ensure that it is inclusive and supportive to all.

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