For many obese employees, being productive in the workplace can be difficult. With the health issues these employees often face, they tend to miss more work or take disability leave, but employers can help improve productivity among these employees by providing ergonomic options, says Brian Kost, program manager for workplace possibilities at The Standard.

"It all goes back to productivity," Kost says. "Giving obese employees ergonomic options can decrease absences, and when they are given special ergonomic options or equipment, they tend to be more engaged with their employer because they feel like that their employer cares about them."

One effective option, though it sounds simple, is to bring in more ergonomic chairs, Kost says. Just in the past five or six years, office chairs have been designed to carry weight up to 600 lbs., an increase from 250 lbs., and this can significantly improve the employee's comfort level, allowing that employee to be more productive. These chairs also offer more adjustability options that account for an employee's weight as well as height for a more comfortable fit, which is important when it comes to stability.