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How to get your employees to quit smoking
If you have employees that smoke, you already know that your health insurance plan will bump up into a higher-risk category. The health insurance premiums will be substantially higher than if you were to have non-smoking employees. To combat this amount, some employers are asking their smoking staff members to front the bill of higher insurance. If you want your employees to quit smoking, here is what you can do:
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First, talk to them. Quitting smoking doesn't happen overnight. People need to have desire, commitment, and determination if they really want to quit smoking. They need to understand the real dangers of smoking and have a good reason to stop smoking. Most people need a gradual plan to quit smoking; they can't just quit cold turkey. Talk to your smoking employees and let them know that they are causing your health insurance costs to skyrocket. You can give them a window to quit smoking or face higher insurance costs from their non-smoking co-workers. This is a good way to motivate some people to stop because they don't want to pay more money.
Second, offer help and support as they quit smoking. A lot of people will smoke during times of stress or frustration. Teach them some deep breathing exercises that may help them get through the stressful moments. You may even consider having a 20 minute yoga class during your lunch hour to help your staff members that need a nice break from work.
Third, find out what your employees do on the weekends and after work. Some people are simply bored so that is why they started smoking. Other employees turn to smoking to fit in with their social group. If you can pinpoint the reason why they started smoking, you may be able to find alternatives that they can participate in so they will quit smoking. Have office parties after work or on weekends, encourage your employees to come and participate in games and other activities. For the employee that smokes out of boredom, this will reduce their temptation to turn to a cigarette when they are just sitting around.
Fourth, have your smoking employees fill out a survey that has some of the following questions:
- Do you smoke every hour or every other hour?
- Do you have the need to smoke at every meal?
- Do you find yourself smoking in social situations?
- Do you have other addictions that are linked to cigarette smoking?
- How many cigarettes do you smoke each day? Would you say you are addicted? (If you smoke a pack or more, you are addicted to cigarettes)
- Have you tried to quit smoking in the past?
- Are you open to alternative methods to quite smoking? (exercise, hypnosis, and acupuncture)
One you know what type of smokers you are dealing with, it will be easier to find ways to support them as they quit smoking. Some people can get along with a simple nicotine patch and an afternoon workout. Other employees have extreme addictions and will need the help of a medical professional to help them quit smoking.
Fifth, you need to be a good support group for your employees. Even if you haven't smoked, you still need to sit down with your employees and listen to them as they vent their frustrations with quitting smoking. Some people may have an easier time and call give advice on how to help their co-workers that are trying to quit smoking. Once they have quit smoking for good, reward them with a financial bonus, lunch, or day off work. Make sure they know exactly how much you appreciate their dedication to a healthier lifestyle.
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