Employers introduce wellness programs in order to encourage their employees to embrace healthier lifestyles but should they stay out of personal health choices such as smoking?
In order to increase the likelihood that employees would succeed in kicking the smoking habit, Staples Canada got creative by offering a financial incentive, inviting employees who smoked to make a bet against themselves for the chance to win $750.
Participants had to put down $50 of their own money and would only receive it back — plus $700 from the company — if they succeeded in quitting after six months, says Kate Tilsley, director of North America stores, online compensation and Canadian benefits.
Read: Staples Canada’s $750 incentive to quit smoking
Staples Canada also enhanced its benefits plan by adding $500 coverage for prescription and non-prescription smoking-cessation aids and sent motivational emails to participants throughout the program.
With organizations such as Staples putting so much effort into helping employees quit smoking, should a line be drawn when it comes to an employer’s role in personal habits like this one? This is the topic for this week’s online poll: Are smoking-cessation benefits a welcome addition to a wellness program or should employers stay out of employees’ personal choices? Have your say here.
Read: Sounding Board: Health outcomes and personal choice collide
Last week, Benefits Canada asked whether employers have a responsibility to ensure employees are making the most of their registered retirement savings plans in light of the upcoming contribution deadline and new Statistics Canada figures showing a decrease in individuals using the savings vehicle.
Twenty-nine per cent of those polled said yes, workplace education is key to ensuring employees understand the value of an RRSP. However, 35.5 per cent said no, it’s up to the employee to decide whether their finances allow them to maximize their contributions and another 35.5 per cent said it depends on whether or not the employer offers employees a group RRSP.
