Here’s my question- do you think this business was right to implement this hiring policy? I am certainly not recommending adopting this policy at this time- I think you are just setting yourself up for a lawsuit if you do so. However, I can understand their logic- if you have a BMI over 35, you are considered obese. Obese people are more than twice as likely to need healthcare than a person not overweight, and when an obese person has an ailment; it is usually a much bigger health problem! Theoretically, if we only hired healthy people (and they stayed that way!), our health insurance would be a lot less expensive in the long run.
There are, obviously, many more issues to consider when hiring people for your organization:
• Is this person right for the job?
• What are their qualifications?
• How is their work ethic?
• Are they trustworthy?
• How will they fit in with the rest of the team?
• Will their salary fit what we can afford?
My point is this--- the overall weight of the future employee has not been a major consideration for employers in the past. However, with the information that we have about obesity and it healthcare ramifications, along with the continuous increase in health insurance premiums for small businesses, it’s no wonder that it has become a consideration. I think the Medical Center listed above in Texas has gone a little overboard, but it is a topic that EVERY employer has in the back (if not the front) of their mind these days, and with good cause!
Another thought- let’s find ways to help the employees we have now learn how to live healthier lifestyles.
Have a great week!
Bobby Bland PWCA, CIC
Commercial Risk Service
No comments:
Post a Comment