Contributed by Ron Gara| 29 January, 2005 15:53 GMT
"Weyco is proud of its stance on smoking and wellness. For every smoker who quits because of it, there will be many people -- family members, friends, co-workers -- who are very thankful the person won't be going to an early grave."
The anti-smoking policy of Weyco, Inc., a Michigan-based health care company, has ignited debate over the rights of employers to mandate what they define as healthy behavior versus the privacy rights of workers. Weyco terminated seven employees who refused to abide by the company's "no smoking at any time" policy, according to press reports.Weyco president Howard Weyers is unapologetic about the company's stance. "Weyco is in business to help other companies save money and improve employee health through innovative benefit plans," he says in a statement. "The health plans we create offer hundreds of options and our approach to smoking may not be for everybody, but it's natural for us to take a leadership position on this issue."
Smoking Costs: Money and Lives
Weyco began its campaign against employee smoking in fall of 2003 and established January 1, 2005, as the deadline for employees to either quit smoking or leave the company. It provided classes, medication and acupuncture for employees who wanted to give up the habit. Most of the company's smokers reportedly complied and were successful.
Weyers justifies Weyco's approach, considered extreme by some, by pointing out that smoking is dangerous and costly not only to those who indulge, but also to others.
"Michigan businesses have the right to protect themselves from the enormous financial harm that smokers inflict upon society. So do individual employees and taxpayers," Weyers insists. "Michigan's smoking-related health-care costs amount to $2.65 billion a year. Lost employee productivity due to smoking totals another $3.4 billion.
"Every Michigan household pays $557 in taxes for smoking-related illnesses annually. And each smoker costs his employer more than $4,000 a year in absenteeism, medical benefits, earnings lost to sickness or premature death, etc.," he says.
"But it's not just about saving money. It's about saving lives," Weyers argues. "Smoking kills 4.9 million people worldwide each year. In Michigan, the smoking death toll is 16,000 a year more than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined. On average, smokers die 10 years earlier than non-smokers."
Healthy Lifestyle Incentives
Weyco also provides employees with a $35 monthly incentive to use a fitness facility and another $65 for meeting modest fitness goals. The company has established walking trails on its campus.
"We offer many incentives for employees to make healthy lifestyle choices," Weyers says. "Compliance is voluntary, and the result has been a demonstrable improvement in wellness. Still, anyone concerned about limiting employers' right to specify terms of employment should know that federal law protects people with conditions like obesity, alcoholism and AIDS. But there's no right to indulge in tobacco use," he emphasizes.
"Weyco is proud of its stance on smoking and wellness," says Weyers. "For every smoker who quits because of it, there will be many people -- family members, friends, co-workers -- who are very thankful the person won't be going to an early grave." |
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