If you've been looking for ways to save money this year within your budget, you've probably taken a good long look at your insurance plans. Maybe that has caused you to take a closer look at your employees, and think up some creative tactics to really jump-start your wellness program—every penny matters!
Clarian Health of Indianapolis, Indiana, announced a few months ago that it will start to charge employees who smoke, are obese, or fail to control their high blood pressure or cholesterol. They believe that by fining employees $5 per paycheck, employees will be more motivated to take care of themselves. Clarian Health's way of motivating personnel is one way to get the job done, however, HR experts recommend wellness programs instead. They say positive influence and motivation is healthiest. (NOTE: ISM does not support Clarian's approach for a number of reasons, including the significant cautions described below.)
Research shows that people who exercise regularly bring a more positive attitude to work and get more done throughout the day. Exercise increases the body's production of endorphins. Because you have more energy, you can handle a more generous amount of work.
You can't force your employees to get healthy—not by following Clarian Health's approach or by establishing a wellness program in your school—but you can build a school culture that values and rewards health progress. Getting healthy is contagious! You'll be amazed by how many people are active in your wellness program by the end of the school year.
Now, about those smokers. It's a little trickier to create legal and non-discriminatory stop-smoking incentives than it is to start walking groups or an organic lunch hour. In some states, Michigan, Nebraska, Washington, and a few others (check your state laws for more), you can legally refuse to hire smokers. However, in most states, it's illegal to discriminate against candidates who engage in legal activities outside of work. Try offering rewards to smokers who quit for a year. Rewarding employees who choose a healthier lifestyle can be as easy as giving them free movie tickets, or other simple but highly valued "prizes."
In regard to hiring, remember that smoking, over eating, and drinking are legal activities—not healthy, but legal—and employers in most states can't consider these habits while hiring. Also, obesity is sometimes considered a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act, and if the applicant can prove the employer rejected him/her because of weight, it can end in a lawsuit.
If you're thinking this just isn't the right time to start a program like (your school's budget is maxed out), consider this—wellness programs show great ROI (return on investment), and prove effective with even the smallest of improvements.
