Get Healthy… or Else?
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007
I’ve definitely found that my running program is helping me achieve better health. Beyond getting me in shape, the constant activity makes me want to eat more healthfully, because my body needs actual nutrients in order to finish runs. But everything I’m doing is voluntary–could someone really force me to get healthy? A few companies are trying to do just that.Employers interfering in employees’ health matters makes sense, to some extent–having healthy employees obviously makes for better performance, as well as potentially lower health insurance expenses. But there’s also a question of freedom: does my employer have the right to tell me what to do with my life outside of work, or even know about my health issues?
As noted in the article, companies are dealing with their employees’ health in different ways. Some are firing or refusing to pay health insurance for smokers; others are offering bonuses for employees who have high health scores. The larger the company, the more likely it is to have a “wellness program,” as insurance costs rise when you employ more people.
While having the chance to get a bonus for my marathon project would be kind of cool, I can’t help but be bothered by the idea of my employer knowing about my health statistics. Is my weight really relevant to how I perform? And haven’t some of our most beloved and accomplished public figures been avid smokers? Having healthy snacks and juices instead of vending machines full of junk might be a good health move, but I think I might rather pay for my own health insurance than have my employer become so involved in my personal life. What’s next, getting employer approval for costly medical procedures? I’d rather be the one who decides what happens to my body.
There are a number of pending lawsuits on the issue, particularly from smokers who were fired for their habits. The EU has already ruled that anti-discrimination laws don’t apply to smokers. While I support businesses having the freedom to hire whomever they want to, I also support workers having the freedom to do whatever they want after hours–assuming it’s not illegal or negatively affecting their work performance.
This is a tough issue, and one that will assuredly become more contentious in the future. What do you think about employers, employees, and health issues?
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