Company Incentive?

[vixenbabe]

My hubby's company pays for 1/2 of our gym membership each year. It has done so for the past four year's. Does not matter how much the membership is or how many are in your family!They will pay 1/2 with no questions asked!

Here's a new twist.....This year, for the first time, they are also going to pay the increased health care costs to those who have BEEN ACTIVE in the "fit" program. IE: Those who have kept fit and had little or no visits to hospital/ doctor) In our case, my hubby would have had to pay an extra $85.00 per paycheck due to yearly medical coverage increases if we HAD not been involved in the fit offer. Sounds like someone has been watching the two different groups and see a HEALTH CARE pattern..DUH!

My hubby came home last night saying that the "masses" at work who have NOT taken advantage of the "fit offer" from the company are screaming discrimination!

How should they regulate the new "fit offer" member's? Should company wait for a few year's to see if there are changes in medical visits due to new lifestyle? Will be interesting to say the least!

Guess it all goes to show ya...Keeping fit has more than one incentive!

 

[bullett]

Hey, I love to hear that! I firmly believe that everyone is responsible and can control their own destiny (within reason).

Let the fat masses whine, or find another job....

kudos for your management!

How can I send them karma?

 

[Y_lifter]

Great Idea Vix...
Our Company also reimburses us $250 a year toward a health club membership of our choice
We don't get any breaks on Medical Co-pay if we use it, but that seems to be the new trend.

As for discrimination, I see it as no different than getting a lower rate on life insurance if you are a Non Smoker and pass a physical.

As this benefit is offered to EVERYONE regardless of race, creed or orientation etc, how can they be descriminating?

 

[vixenbabe]

Hey, I love to hear that! I firmly believe that everyone is responsible and can control their own destiny (within reason).

AMEN!

 

[vixenbabe]

Y- I agree.

More companies should follow suit to my hubby's company.

Perhaps those on here should mention this idea to their companies!

 

[WODIN]

Very cool vix. I get 100.00 bucks a year on my gym fees from my company. It's a solid savings. I wish we would institute a similar plan here with the health care costs. I would make out big time.

The hefers would scream of course.

 

[beastboy]

It would be nice if my company would chip in towards my gym membership.

 

[gotmilk]

Should the company offer a 10% discount to chain smokers?????

Discrimination!!!!

 

[bullett]

Should the company offer a 10% discount to chain smokers?????

Discrimination!!!!

This makes NO Fuckin Sense!!??

Explain yosef

 

[vixenbabe]

Should the company offer a 10% discount to chain smokers?????

Discrimination!!!!

You work for a big tabaco company or something?

 

[Y_lifter]

You work for a big tabaco company or something?

LOL !

 

[Ffactor]

I think it's a brilliant idea. I wish my company had a similar plan.
WTF is wrong with fat people??? Why do they have to try and take it out on others if they are fat! I wish we had some kind of a fat people herding program, where fat people from the east coast would be collected and driven to the west coast on foot. Like the cowboys did back in the day. That would whip them into shape.

 

[jerkbox]

my company gives me a free gym membership to a pretty kick-ass gym...one of the only perks of working where i do.....

one of the owners barters services with the gym owner - so it's not like they pay anything for it....but, I'll take it!

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

Vix,

From a common sense standpoint, I like it. From a legal standpoint, it is discrimination.

 

[Longhorn85]

Hey, my company PAYS me to workout, well actually, they won't pay me UNLESS I workout (and pass a physical fitness test twice a year).

 

[Y_lifter]

Originally posted by MattTheSkywalker Vix,
From a legal standpoint, it is discrimination.

Matt, I know you have the legal knowledge to explain how it is
discrimination at our level... please

 

[vixenbabe]

Vix,

From a common sense standpoint, I like it. From a legal standpoint, it is discrimination.

Matt,

4 YEAR'S the company has DONE everything to PROVIDE AN HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE to it's employee's. They have basically given EVERYONE the chance to get fit at corporate expense!

HR mentioning the FIT PROGRAM in meetings, banner's posted and FORMAL letter's sent home to spouses EACH year reminding them it was the time of year to sign up for the "fit program".

We are NOT talking about NOT providing health care to people. They ARE talking about INCENTIVE'S TO GET FIT AND THE REWARD TO DO THAT IS NOT HAVING TO PAY FOR INCREASED HEALTH CARE.It's a choice...NOT because someone is fat or is pink with purple polka dots!

I'd love to sit on the jury for this case...I'd be the defenses worst nightmare.

 

[Y_lifter]

Again, I'm sure Matt has a Logical legaleeze explanation that we may not agree with, but may understand as to how this could be discrimination.

Logically I can understand how someone that does not care to exercise and feels he/she is healthy might be upset.

But again I go back to the idea of Non Smokers getting a break on Life insurance premiums.
People with better credit ratings getting better rates or those with bad credit getting rejected or cancelled for policies.

 

[vixenbabe]

I hear ya Y-lifter!

Matt is a good guy..I hope I did not come across as being harsh?!

It's ALLLLL about choices!

Hell....Not many companies provide such a wonderful program! I think we are lucky to be honest.

 

[Lestat]

Wow.. this just reminded me how lucky I am to have a company who supplies us with 4 fully outfitted private gyms... plus doesn't charge us anything for our PPO health care plan.

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

Vix,

I am on your side with this one. Common sense says this is a good thing. It improves employee morale, performance, and saves money. I am all for it. It probably doesn't fly legally.

You can't reward someone at work (pay their increased health care costs) for participating in something that is an optional non-work activity. Optional = optional.

Note: Some states may permit this, or not have decisive law on it. even if this were the case, this is probably another move by your husband's company to encourage strongly participation in the plan. Your company will eventually back down. I think it's a cool move, even for a bluff.

 

[FreeballinDC]

I just found out that the Department has an agreement with a local gym that allows for employees to sign on at $35 a month, considering that the full retail of this offer is $78 bucks a month.

Now I have to figure out if it's cheaper to join, or to outfit the basement with a home gym.

 

[Longhorn85]

plus doesn't charge us anything for our PPO health care plan.

Oh really? Well then who is paying for it? Someone is.

 

[Lestat]

Oh really? Well then who is paying for it? Someone is.

The comapany pays for it. We are a self insured company.

We use Cigna to adminster our claims and payments, but we don't buy "insurance" from them.. all fees are paid out of company reserves. Since there is no insurance premium there is nothing to charge the employee. They could charge a resonable fee but they choose not to. I work for a large telecommunications company and they try to be one of the most competative employers as far as benefits go. They also pay for accupuncture, chiropractic, mental health counseling, give paternity leave, pay for tuition, pay for a health club if you choose not to use the company provided ones, give you subsidies on computer purchases, and I am sure there is more.

 

[vixenbabe]

how does a company decide what is *FIT*? Do people go in to be tested and the company emails them back saying they're too fat and not fit? Does the company hire a licensed personal trainer to professional decide who is fit? What about someone close to the line. They fit? Will this new policy force people who are close to begin fit, to start starving themselves 2 weeks b4r the test, just so they can pass?

Too many questions come up when the company has to regulate and decide who the fatties are. I'm eager to know how they got past all the federal discrmination laws with such a policy.

-= nav =-

Supernav..I'm understanding that the company has ALREADY seen the stats on who is fit and who is not even close to being fit. I can almost see some pretty flow/pie charts telling a wonderful story as I type.

Prime example: We have three people in our family- INCLUDES OUR SIX YEAR OLD. Know how many times we have been to the doctor in the past four year's? Twice - because Bri caught strep throat. Is it luck we are healthy? Nope, I do not think so. We don't even live in a plastic bubble!

Now...Let's talk about my best friend and her hubby.Don works at the SAME company. THE ENTIRE FAMILY IS OBESE- ALL FIVE OF 'EM! Wanna take a guess on how many trips they take to the doctor per year? Also..not to mention the perscriptions said company has paid for and filled each year for them! I know this info cuz she is my best pal.They went to the doctor over 75 times last year. Are we talking bad genes here or another reason? I'll wager it's because they are eating like shit and abusing their bodies! My lil gal hangs around with her sick kids too. Bri will kick any virus they hand her BUT their kids will end up sicker than hell! Once again, what do you think the correlation is here?

On a side note...The same company pays for EVERYONE to have a complete physical each year! (I'll wager that the company gets those results as well--Ethical or not! If nothing else, they have the test results on their top V.I.P.'s)

They know what they paid out in health care costs last year.They also know WHO used those services. It's pretty damn clear that their little study made this an incentive for other's to stand up and take notice as well.

The company only hit 'em in the pocket's to take notice. Hey, a good swift kick to their beer guts could have been cause for a lawsuit.

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

THE ENTIRE FAMILY IS OBESE- ALL FIVE OF 'EM! Wanna take a guess on how many trips they take to the doctor per year? Also..not to mention the perscriptions said company has paid for and filled each year for them! I know this info cuz she is my best pal.They went to the doctor over 75 times last year.

They know what they paid out in health care costs last year.They also know WHO used those services.

The person making this decision is looking pretty irresponsible.

Medical records are prohibited from release - even what the company has access to is pretty limited. To reveal that, even in a semi-public manner as has been done, is a really big no-go.

Couple that with discouraging use of benefits and you could have some great litigation.

Again, a good idea in theory. A bad idea in practice.

 

[Imnotdutch]

What about the people who do train but do get ill? Do they get the benefits too? What happens when people have health problems that they can't avoid? How about asthma? (I'm asthmatic and exercise doesnt always help). Migraines? Being overweight? (some people cannot help it!).........how does the company distinguish those that are unhealthy through no fault of their own and those that are unhealthy because of their lifestyle?

As nice as this situation might sound I think that it is wrong. I wonder where the company would stand legally if when it interviewed potential employees it told them that they could get penalised or not for what they do as a hobby.

If the company are so concerned they should penalise those that do get sick alot.........however, in the UK at least, they cannot do this purely because you cannot always avoid health problems. I dont like the sound of this at all.........

My hubby's company pays for 1/2 of our gym membership each year. It has done so for the past four year's. Does not matter how much the membership is or how many are in your family!They will pay 1/2 with no questions asked!

Here's a new twist.....This year, for the first time, they are also going to pay the increased health care costs to those who have BEEN ACTIVE in the "fit" program. IE: Those who have kept fit and had little or no visits to hospital/ doctor) In our case, my hubby would have had to pay an extra $85.00 per paycheck due to yearly medical coverage increases if we HAD not been involved in the fit offer. Sounds like someone has been watching the two different groups and see a HEALTH CARE pattern..DUH!

My hubby came home last night saying that the "masses" at work who have NOT taken advantage of the "fit offer" from the company are screaming discrimination!

How should they regulate the new "fit offer" member's? Should company wait for a few year's to see if there are changes in medical visits due to new lifestyle? Will be interesting to say the least!

Guess it all goes to show ya...Keeping fit has more than one incentive!

 

[gotmilk]

You work for a big tabaco company or something?

What's that? Chicken legs!!!!

Everyone cries discrimination.

 

[theoak01]

I agree with the company

My first quote in my sig says it all
l
l
l
V

 

[vixenbabe]

Medical records are prohibited from release - even what the company has access to is pretty limited. To reveal that, even in a semi-public manner as has been done, is a really big no-go.

Matt,

It may be a matter of ethics..But ..it appears that they are using this info. as bait for incentive and for a good reason to join the fit program. We both know that companies have access to what their insurance provider has "paid out " during the year and for who- perhaps not for what..but for whom!

Imnotdutch....The company is paying for EVERYONE'S health care no matter if they are in the fit program or not. They will , however, NOT pay ANY future insurance increases. It will be up to the employee to pay that difference. As I said, it would have cost us an additional $85.00 per pay. If we had to pay ALL of our medical coverage it would be WELLLL OVER $1200.OO PER month for a family of three..WELLLLL OVER!!!!!!

Each person has a choice. Pay up ... or... if you can do something to improve yourself.. DO IT!

GotMilk...Who you callin chicken legs? ;-)

Hi Oak!

 

[Imnotdutch]

Does that apply to the increases due to inflation etc that are bound to happen? Or just increases that come about as a result of a persons health declining?

You'll have to excuse me........I really do not have much idea about what is taken into account when you get health insurance......over here it is free!!

Matt,

It may be a matter of ethics..But ..it appears that they are using this info. as bait for incentive and for a good reason to join the fit program. We both know that companies have access to what their insurance provider has "paid out " during the year and for who- perhaps not for what..but for whom!

Imnotdutch....The company is paying for EVERYONE'S health care no matter if they are in the fit program or not. They will , however, NOT pay ANY future insurance increases. It will be up to the employee to pay that difference. As I said, it would have cost us an additional $85.00 per pay. If we had to pay ALL of our medical coverage it would be WELLLL OVER $1200.OO PER month for a family of three..WELLLLL OVER!!!!!!

Each person has a choice. Pay up ... or... if you can do something to improve yourself.. DO IT!

GotMilk...Who you callin chicken legs? ;-)

Hi Oak!

 

[vinylgroover]

You guys are getting way too technical on the legaleze and have missed the thrust of what is happening.

It would only be discrimination IMO if the employee's were being deprived of something by the company which was rightfully theirs to claim under the particular workplace agreement.

In this case, the company is simply providing a performace based incentive to employee's........the performance bechmark in this case is joining a company sponsored fitness program.

Sure, it may anger those employees who are not interested in getting fit, but at the end the day, those employees are not missing out or being deprived of any of their entitlements, they are simply missing out on a performance based bonus.......the only difference being the nature of the performance benchmark in this particular examle.

A great idea.

 

[Imnotdutch]

Isn't the difference that in order to 'perform' the employees have to use up a substantial part of their own time for which they are not paid?

You guys are getting way too technical on the legaleze and have missed the thrust of what is happening.

It would only be discrimination IMO if the employee's were being deprived of something by the company which was rightfully theirs to claim under the particular workplace agreement.

In this case, the company is simply providing a performace based incentive to employee's........the performance bechmark in this case is joining a company sponsored fitness program.

Sure, it may anger those employees who are not interested in getting fit, but at the end the day, those employees are not missing out or being deprived of any of their entitlements, they are simply missing out on a performance based bonus.......the only difference being the nature of the performance benchmark in this particular examle.

A great idea.

 

[vinylgroover]

Isn't the difference that in order to 'perform' the employees have to use up a substantial part of their own time for which they are not paid?

Sure, it could be.......but the whole point is, if you want to receive the 'bonus' that is what you have to do. It's totally voluntary.

If you choose not too, you don't get the bonus.

How is it any different to a company saying to an employee 'if you sell 100 widgets this month as opposed to the 70 you sold last month, we will give you a bonus of 50% on top of your normal remuneration'. That may mean that the empoyee has to work longer hours in order to achieve that sales target in order to get the bonus.

At the end of the day, those who choose not to take it up do not miss out or lose any of their rightful entitlements, they simply do not receive the bonus, which in this case happens to be medical benefits cover.

 

[Testosterone boy]

I have to keep bandages on my eyes after visiting the gym yesterday. All the couch queens and kings showed up due to their resolutions. What is going on?

 

[Imnotdutch]

Interesting answer.........

What if somebody had existing health problems that means they can't train? Wouldnt you be discriminating against them because they have no way of claiming the bonus? Or maybe they had no hope of reaching the companies 'fit' criteria?

If Vix is talking about a sales type job then I might be convinced. However, if it isn't I am not convinced. What if somebody took the job because it fitted in around the commitments in their life........then the company changes the rules by insisting that a bonus can be had if they 'work' more hours. If the extra hourrs are impossible because of family etc then surely you are discriminating against somebody because of factors unrelated to work.........

Sure, it could be.......but the whole point is, if you want to receive the 'bonus' that is what you have to do. It's totally voluntary.

If you choose not too, you don't get the bonus.

How is it any different to a company saying to an employee 'if you sell 100 widgets this month as opposed to the 70 you sold last month, we will give you a bonus of 50% on top of your normal remuneration'. That may mean that the empoyee has to work longer hours in order to achieve that sales target in order to get the bonus.

At the end of the day, those who choose not to take it up do not miss out or lose any of their rightful entitlements, they simply do not receive the bonus, which in this case happens to be medical benefits cover.

 

[vinylgroover]

Maybe vix can answer this better, but in her original post, she said that the company would reward those who showed they had 'BEEN ACTIVE' in the FIT PROGRAM, which to me merely suggests that an employee simply has to prove a level of participation as opposed to individuals having to achieve fitness benchmarks as measured by bodyfat testing, or lung capacity tests etc.

 

[vixenbabe]

Supernav and Imnotdutch, VG.

The company does have a list of ALLLLL employee's who are in the fit program.They also know how many year's EMPLOYEE has been involved. Each employee fills out the forms for the company to cut a check each year for 1/2 of employee membership fees.

The program has been offered for 4 year's! Guess what? Hubby tells me that 65% of the people who ORGINALLY SIGNED UP ON THE OFFER ARE STILL IN THE PROGRAM. This leads me to believe that SOME people are serious about their fitness/health goals.

Imnotdutch, you keep mentioning if someone becomes ill and can not fullfil the fit program. If they are in that situation the company will ,of course, excuse them until their doctor releases them from disability. IF they have restrictions they STILL can work out WITH some adjustments. I do not know of anyone who has NOT trained around an injury/sickness at least once in their lifetime. Hell, YOU of all people should know that an health issue CAN BE worked around... YOU FLIPPIN HAVE ASTHEMA!

Supernav..LOL. I can see the "fit patrol" with their clipboards! "Hey Jill... May I say your ass looks like 50 pounds of Cheesecake stuffed in a 5 pound bag!? You been warned, bitch!". Talk about lawsuit!......... (Please read below..)Also...If YOU think that companies do not already discriminate, in regards to apperance, you are sadly mistaken.

Ok, now we have the people who are going to sign up for this program who think it's going to be a way to get away from paying the medical coverage increases. Guess what? They are going to have to be in the program for two year's BEFORE they can take advantage of the incentive.(As my hubby understands from the pissed off masses)

The company is banking on the people like 300 lb.Sally. She's visiting the doctor every month and is a heart attack waitin to happen. SHE decides to sign up. Low and behold, SHE DECIDES TO GET SOME BLOOD FLOWING! Maybe, just maybe, Sally will continue the program and get herself healthier.

THEY ARE WILLING TO TAKE A RISK THAT THIS WILL BE ENOUGH INCENTIVE TO KEEP ALL THE" SALLY'S" MOVING. It's going to cost them a hell of a lot MORE if SALLY has a heart attack in the future. Face it, they are looking at a payout of over $100K if Sally needs heart bypass and rehab!

Anyhoo...

I'm know they will be watching the "newbies" . It'll be interesting to see if the gamble they are taking will be worth it. IE: If their yearly health care PAY OUTS to doc's/ hospitals on newer FIT member's DROP! Hey, they can pull the offer IF their RISK is NOT PANNING OUT.