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by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.
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Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

Companies Get Tough on Worseness

Thursday November 8, 2001

There is growing evidence that U.S. corporations with health promotion programs are losing patience with employees who don't do their part to help organizations control rising health insurance/medical costs. It seems that some executives are threatening to put a stop to traditional subsidies for worseness lifestyles. Some are of the view that sticks are more effective than carrots when dealing with employees who are "lifestyle disadvantaged." I'll give you a few examples.

Hershey Foods instituted mandatory screening in five risk categories. In addition, Hershey penalizes employees who don't measure up to certain norms associated with lifestyle responsibility. A case in point: Hershey Foods flabbies in recent years paid $1,404 extra for health insurance benefits. So much for gentle persuasion. This policy seems a little unfair, given the nature of the product!

U-Haul and Baker-Hughes do essentially the same thing with penalties for smokers, but the "fine" so far is modest -- just an extra $120 annually, with commensurate "rewards" for positive test results. Foldercraft Company hammers workers with poor scores on body composition tests with a $900 deductible on health insurance plans.

What all this portends might well be that the "nice guy" wellness approaches are losing favor, at least with some tough-love oriented managers. MetLife reports that 86 percent of executives in this country want higher premiums for high-risk employees. Still, a Johnson & Johnson study shows only two percent of companies currently financially chastise health risk-takers. What is significant about the J&J report, however, is the projection that this will increase to fifty percent in a few years time.

What might an enthusiast for self-management think of all this? Is the "get tough" trend something we should support, or should we rush to the defense of the poor victim, the smoker and other test failures? Would any one of us not manifest the same dangerous, self-destructive behaviors, given unfavorable upbringing, cultures, genes and other unfortunate influences? Where do you stand on this issue?

Personally, I'm a real softie. I think those with bad habits have not been exposed to sufficiently worthwhile wellness inducements, supports, peer mentoring and other positive, attractive influences. I'd rather see them rewarded for doing the right thing than punished for doing that which managers don't favor.

Be well. All the best. Look on the bright side.

Domain: physical
Subdomain: lifestyle habits

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