Incentives at work to workout

[movdqa]

We have a program at the office for eight weeks where you need to get in 50,000 steps per week. Participants get a price if they meet the goal and there's a bonus prize if you're in the top three for total steps. In the past, they also provided you with a fitness watch (up to $200 I think) if you completed the program.

I've read that some employers are using carrots and sticks for exercise, smoking and other things and was wondering if you have these sorts of things where you work.

BTW, it should be fairly easy to get in 10K steps per day from tennis and running.

 

[Midaso240]

They'd only have those sort of things in places where the employers give a f**k about the employees. In my experience,this is rarely the case

 

[ollinger]

They'd only have those sort of things in places where the employers give a f**k about the employees

no, I think it's at places where employers are trying to reduce their health care costs, especially as many larger companies are becoming self-insured for health plans.

 

[movdqa]

no, I think it's at places where employers are trying to reduce their health care costs, especially as many larger companies are becoming self-insured for health plans.

That's what I've always thought. I've read about some employers that will fire you if you smoke and won't get on a cessation program and others that provide discounts on health insurance for some behaviors. I think that we get a statement of what our health insurance costs these days so that you can see what the company is kicking into the bill and they have every incentive to keep health insurance costs down.

 

[r2473]

We have a program at the office for eight weeks where you need to get in 50,000 steps per week. Participants get a price if they meet the goal and there's a bonus prize if you're in the top three for total steps. In the past, they also provided you with a fitness watch (up to $200 I think) if you completed the program.

I've read that some employers are using carrots and sticks for exercise, smoking and other things and was wondering if you have these sorts of things where you work.

BTW, it should be fairly easy to get in 10K steps per day from tennis and running.

We have such a program. Unfortunately, I'm in charge of it. You can't do incentives based on results, only based on participation. Meaning, you'd think it would make sense to incentivize people with high blood pressure to specifically lower their blood pressure. Can't do it. Against HIPPA. All you can do is incentivize them to participate and complete a program aimed at lowering their blood pressure.

no, I think it's at places where employers are trying to reduce their health care costs, especially as many larger companies are becoming self-insured for health plans.

Yes, our company is self funded

 

[movdqa]

We have such a program. Unfortunately, I'm in charge of it. You can't do incentives based on results, only based on participation. Meaning, you'd think it would make sense to incentivize people with high blood pressure to specifically lower their blood pressure. Can't do it. Against HIPPA. All you can do is incentivize them to participate and complete a program aimed at lowering their blood pressure.

Thanks for the insider perspective.

We have various programs on a regular basis. One is lunch seminars on health, stress, fitness and nutrition. This is one of those cases where there really is such a thing as a free lunch. The thing is the people that already work out, watch their stress and nutrition, work out during lunch and probably wouldn't eat the stuff that's served (catered by the cafeteria). I personally love a free lunch but I'm usually working at my desk at lunch or working out.

 

[Bartelby]

One could imagine all sorts of exquisite torture one could invent for employees if incentives were legal!

We have such a program. Unfortunately, I'm in charge of it. You can't do incentives based on results, only based on participation. Meaning, you'd think it would make sense to incentivize people with high blood pressure to specifically lower their blood pressure. Can't do it. Against HIPPA. All you can do is incentivize them to participate and complete a program aimed at lowering their blood pressure.


Yes, our company is self funded

 

[Bartelby]

Someone is eating out the White House as we write with not a lunch exercise program in sight.

Thanks for the insider perspective.

We have various programs on a regular basis. One is lunch seminars on health, stress, fitness and nutrition. This is one of those cases where there really is such a thing as a free lunch. The thing is the people that already work out, watch their stress and nutrition, work out during lunch and probably wouldn't eat the stuff that's served (catered by the cafeteria). I personally love a free lunch but I'm usually working at my desk at lunch or working out.