Obesity penalty

Employers are cutting costs on just about everything right now. Healthcare costs are one area that employers are trying to find ways to trim their budget. Some states, like Alabama, have set in motion a new ruling that will require employees to pay extra money for not meeting the health standards for their age and height. The employers are giving their employees one year to lose weight or face the obesity penalty. This penalty will mean the employees need to pay an extra $25-$30 a month or each paycheck. The smokers in Alabama are already charged an extra $25 a month for increasing the healthcare costs so it seems fair that others face the obesity penalty.

Some people are protesting the obesity penalty claiming that obesity is a disease and that they cannot control their weight. While it is true that obesity is an epidemic, it is one of the only diseases that is 100 percent controllable. To help their employees lose weight, some employers have agreed to establish an in-house gym or offer discounted gym memberships to their staff members.

The obesity penalty will force employees to meet blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose tests. If they are in their recommended weight range and they pass the tests, they will not need to pay the penalty. The employers that are implementing this radical initiative are giving their employees plenty of time to get in shape; most employers are giving the employees at least 2 years to meet the standards.

While some employers are debating whether or not to implement the obesity penalty, most of them are considering offering incentives to their employees that are willing to lose weight. This is a huge bonus to the employees because they are getting paid to get in shape. If you were already thinking about dropping a few pounds, why not get paid by your employer to do it?

The incentive plans have been around for a few years and employees respond to them favorably. All you need to do is divide your employees into teams or groups and have each of them set their own weight loss goals. The team that loses the most amount of weight will get the reward. The individual that loses the most amount of weight will also get a personal reward on top of the group award. This is a great way to motivate your employees to lose weight and it inspires a little friendly competition in the office.

Employers can help their employees lose weight by offering healthy snacks and beverages around the office. Staff meetings don't always need to be held in the office, try taking your group outside on a sunny day to have your discussion. Just getting some fresh air can help some people work harder because they get rejuvenated by the sunlight. Take an extra 15 minutes with your staff and go for a walk. If everyone can get at least 3,000 steps in each day, they will walk a mile and a half. This is a pretty good distance for everyone to walk.

If you feed your employees breakfast or lunch, don't purchase a big box of doughnuts and bagels. Opt for healthier breakfast options like fresh fruits and whole-grain cereals. Instead of coffee and soda, serve apple and orange juice or just plain water. Employees that want to really drop the pounds need to start drinking more water anyhow so this is a good way to remind them to get in their 8 glasses a day. Vending machines need to sell healthier options like apple chips, granola bars, and juices instead of soda and candy bars. By changing a few things here and there, you will set your employees on the right path to avoid the obesity penalty in a year or two.