I’m torn.
There has been a lot of talk and debate these days, about employers constantly coming up with ways to make their employees healthier, free gym memberships, on-site diet and smoking cessation programs. They have even begun offering workers cash incentives for their good behavior.
On the one hand, it’s a great thing because the healthier we are the happier we’ll be. I really believe that.
That said, it makes me uncomfortable when company officials create an environment where they’re pressuring workers to be good.
It’s all about the bottom line. If we’re fat or have lung problems from smoking they end up paying for a big chunk of the health care we’ll need. It makes sense that bosses would want to curb our bad habits.
But employers sign on to pay us a weekly wage and provide us health care benefits when we join their companies. That’s the agreement. No one disputes that. So, when they start trying to push us up on a tread mill and end up penalizing us, monetarily, if we’re not running fast enough, or losing weight fast enough, then they’re starting to go back on the promises they made to us when we were hired…No?
There’s no way around this. The issue is a Catch 22.
Looking back, I wish my father worked for an employer that forced him to stop smoking. He was an entrepreneur. Did what he wanted. And smoked for many years, until three little girls begged him to quit.
Alas, it was too late. He ended up dying from lung cancer in his early 70s.
You know. My dad would have gone ballistic if any boss he had got involved in his personal life and his personal habits.
How do we deal with this issue? Any thoughts?
October 26th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Eve the rewards you mentioned, you then classified as penalties to some. Let’s face it bottom lines are what we are all about. Regardless of if you are a company or a household budget. If keeping a coat on your child keeps them healthy that saves you a doctor’s visit so you keep your family circus train running on time. If your workforce is happy and healthy you are more productive. When I was younger it was more of a focus on happy so the donuts (oh remember the donuts?) were provided to keep you working at your desk with a cup of free java. Then there were the company happy hours (oh remember the free booze?) and we would all swirl libation and weave home in the dark. But times change and with this change I see us living longer than our working parents. So I praise the rewards for healthy habits and though I will not be joining in the treadmill races I will remain constantly running on my hamster wheel to success!
October 28th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
But we need the donuts and booze…no?
October 30th, 2007 at 9:23 am
I’ve been a diabetic for years; I am self-managed and regularly check in with my physician. Starting in 2008, if I don’t sign up with my employer’s “healthy choices” program - an educational program that gives me specific goals to meet regarding my self-care - I’m penalized in my healthcare costs. I object to my employer butting into my care plan (I’ve never once been hospitalized because of my condition), and second-guessing the decisions my doctor and I have reached regarding my care.
I know they want to help reign in costs, and that unmanaged diabetes is detrimental to managing those costs, but they are treading where they are not welcome. I would rather drop my insurance entirely and risk dying from this disease than have my employer (even through a third-party agent) sticking its nose in my health-care decisions.