Wellness programs within the workplace are put into place to encourage employees to get fit, be healthy, and live well. This is accomplished through education, discounts, and guidance designed to change behaviors for the better. As my body slowly recovers from last weekend's adventure, I started to think of how nice it would be if my firm offered such a program.
As I looked around the web for resources on such programs...and if my employer needed to participate in order to gain some benefits...I came across some interesting info about these wellness programs. First, I was surprised to learn that nearly half of America's companies offer some form of wellness programs (not where I work)...and this number is expected to increase to nearly 70% by next year (probably not here). Although I think these programs are great ideas I really am surprised that so many companies actually participate.
Second, I was a little dismayed that laws in states that prevent employers from "discriminating" against employees for off-site activities could have an impact on these programs. Of course there are privacy concerns here that go well beyond the scope of this posting and I will leave it at that. However, when argued the right way, these statutes may actually prevent such wellness programs on the ground that they discriminate against people who choose to be unhealthy outside of work. Unreal!
So instead of rewarding people for caring about their health, it is those who don't care who find the benefits. Those that smoke, or do drugs, or eat too much, or don't exercise are the ones who are protected. They get to pay the same health care premiums. They get to continue to act as they wish. They get to burden the health care system.
There is an argument to be made that truly disabled people are unfairly left out of the possible benefit of such programs. In my eyes...yeah, maybe. Just because someone is in a wheelchair, or are blind, or mentally challenged, or whatever doesn't mean that they can't make a lifestyle change to lead a healthier life. There are ways around gym discounts...give people unable to workout discounts to Weight Watchers or include nutritionist visits to their health plans. Disabled people are not unable to be healthy and should still be able to participate in wellness programs.
What really irritates me is that there are people out there who will not be able to partake in such programs; people who will be forced to shoulder higher health care costs; people who live healthy lives just because there are idiots out there who would rather kill themselves with their smokes or their triple cheeseburgers. Just like any incentive program there are people who can and will partake and then there are those who choose not to participate. If someone chooses to not be healthy outside of work...that is their own business...but not being able to participate because of those choices should not be discrimination in the eyes of the law.
If someone chooses not to participate they are not then punished by not receiving a discount...they are paying what they would anywhere else for living their life the way they choose. What happens with these programs is people have a CHOICE to participate and as a REWARD for that choice, they receive a discount.
In my eyes these programs are akin to car insurance discounts. You have airbags...discount. You have an alarm...discount. You are a good driver...discount. SAME THING WITH WELLNESS PROGRAMS. You eat healthy...discount. You go to the gym...discount. You are a healthy person...discount.
It is just another case of people feeling as though they are entitled and being lazy. It is another case of people trying to piggy-back on others hard work and dedication. It is another case of people trying to make sure that everyone is treated equal for unequal behavior. It's just another case where I sit back, shake my head and hope the legal system gets this right.
