Employers Plan to Expand Wellness Programs Despite Unpopularity

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zKuwUT

Huwhugup of PA 2:31PM July 15, 2009

Yeah, right. These wellness programs have no place in the workplace. The personal lives of employees -- including their health and personal habits are just that PERSONAL. Now, someone is going to penalize employees if their BMI isn't in line or they can't keep their cholesteral in check. The most avid fitness guy in our office who is also a vegan has high cholesterol. What's next cameras in our homes and cars. We better or they might miss the guy who speeds occasionally risking an auto accident and a huge hospital bill or how about that jet ski guy who's a bit risky. How about the employee exposed to second hand because their spouse smokes -- are we gong to start quizzng the family too P-LEASE. I remember a really bad man who thought all people should have blond hair and blue eyes too. STAY OUT OF OUR BUSINESS!

Teed off in Ohio of OH 3:15PM January 20, 2009

I have worked with several companies in implementing wellness programs. The results are dramatic in that people discovered health problems before becoming critical. Lives are saved with wellness programs as many people don't take the time nor can they afford to go to the doctor for preventative tests. Wellness programs don't take the place of a physician, they are meant to enable an employee to have a plethora of choices when it comes to health care. The employers that I have worked with provide the programs at no cost to the employee and offer invaluable screening services. Every company should offer wellness programs in the effort to improve employee health; the result is a significant decrease in health care costs.

Sandra Breeding of TN 9:22AM October 23, 2008

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Vital Acai of AL 8:14PM August 25, 2008

If you think about the objective of corporate sponsored wellness programs, there are benefits to both the employer and employees. As a nation, the current rate of health costs spending is hampering productivity and competitiveness of companies but it also indicates that we have a population that is growing increasingly sicker with chronic health issues that impact long term health and mortality.
Employers are in a unique position to sponsor these programs and create a culture where employees who work 8-10 hours a day have resources at their disposal to help support and change their health habits. The most successful programs that truly engage employees in participating uses a whole-brained approach that utilizes rewards as a means of motivating and recognizing how and when employees improve their health habits.
My company has found that a stick philosphy does not typically work and can actually jeopardize the employer/employee relationship and other cultural issues. The use of personalized communication and rewards along different critical pathways of health can help in inspiring participants to participate and stay engaged. The rewards, ranging from gift cards to merchandise to experiences resonate with intrinsic motivating factors.
I believe that employers who consider using a strategic wellness rewards program will see greater participation, engagement and longer term behavioral change commitments from their employees. Employees also need to recognize that under HIPAA, employers can't act as "Big Brother" as the privacy regulations prohibit personalized health information from being shared with employers and that wellness services are managed typically by third-party suppliers.
As an employee at an organization that offers rewards for wellness, I participate in everything. As a result, I eat better, feel better, am healthier and get rewarded for it.What a great benefit!

M McGrath of PA 12:18PM August 06, 2008

For all those reluctant to participate in a Wellness Program, studies have proven over the long term, not 7 months as indicated by one smoker on work attendance issues, that a healthier body is less prone to the expensive medical conditions which develop over a period of years. It is a choice. You can choose to be unhealthy or you can choose to make 1-2 lifestyle choices that can begin to make a positive impact on you as well as on all of our pocketbooks. This is not just targeted to the "smokers" but to anyone not engaging in healthy lifestyle choices. I like chocolate. It is my personal downfall but I choose not to overindulge. Personally, I do not believe that I should have to pay for the unhealthy. I am not a health nut but choose to make lifestyle choices that will help me, my family and our healthcare system.

ann hessil of WI 7:04PM July 13, 2008

These programs are not just aimed at smokers. Anyone making lifestyle health choices that increase the risk of sickness (including tobacco use, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle) increases the costs to the program far more than those who do not embrace these habits.
You can choose to participate or not. You may just pay more to do so. Just like you would if you were a driver who speeds, commits several DUI-s with several accidents on their record. If you are a bad driver, you should pay more. This is consistent with how insurance works. It is just it has never applied to our health coverage, but it should.
Like my 93 yr-old grandfather who smoked, there are going to be happy exceptions like "have a mother smoker" and myy grandfather. But it cannot be argued with integrity that these lifestyle choices do not impact the costs for the rest of us.
By the way, I am not a granola-eating triathlete, but just an average guy who would pass some of the tests and not others. If my company would have this program, I would not get all of the incentives, but it would be my choice.

KJC of 4:08PM July 11, 2008

Nothing would motivate me to participate in any wellness program except my own desire. Fortunately the firm I work for actually believes that it's ADULT employees are quite capable of caring for themselves and asking their own doctors for advice IF and WHEN they need/want it. At least for now they do.
I've never been a follower, and this is just another fad/trend I will NOT follow. I will NOT submit myself to someone else's ideology or choices. I make my own choices for myself, and seek advice when I need it.
As the only smoker in my office, I can also tell you that I'm the only one who has not called in sick in the past 2 years. This year alone (barely 7 months into it), all my non-smoking, non-drinking, healthy eating co-workers have called in sick.....a couple of them several times. They've all taken their turns leaving early due to "not feeling well".
Sorry, I'll stick to smoking if they are what being "healthy" is all about.

swfreedomlover of AZ 10:39AM July 11, 2008

Mainly this is aimed at smokers.I wonder if employees paid for their own medical insurance would these wellness programs go away.. Why not just take some genetic testing on the job. How far away are we from that.
www.smokersclubinc.com
www.forces.org

Dee of ME 10:54PM July 10, 2008