Weyco II - Just When You Tought It Was Safe To Be Overweight. - Page 2 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

flstf · 02-10-2005, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgelito

Wrong, it's about cost control measures.

Just add choice to it: If you are overwieght or smoke then deny them coverage (by the employer) that's more than fair. All the other silly scenarios are irrelevant as they do not incur cost to the employer (through health coverage).

There are probably dozens of other "lifestyle choices" and risky behaviour that also add costs to the employer. I think the general acceptance of this type of policy is a slippery slope.
I just did a quick search on skiing injury costs and found the following:

Quote:

Medically Treated Injuries Related To Winter Sports
Total Costs: $14.9 billion

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. These estimates are projections of medically-treated injuries in 1999 related to these recreational activities. They are derived from estimates of hospital emergency room-treated injuries reported through the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System.
Aetna

How long before the accountants start wanting to restrict this activity? Now imagine the other lifestyle choices that incur additional medical costs and result in higher absenteism. A few billion here, a few billion there, and pretty soon we are talking some serious money. Sure, we could all sign a non-skiing, non-bicycling, non-unsafe sex, non-(any other lifefestyle choice that has risks), etc...but do we really want this to become the standard for having a job and/or medical coverage?
Like I said before, they have the right to do this but we should let them know how disgusted we are with this type of thinking and maybe fewer companies will follow their example.

Yakk · 02-10-2005, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JumpinJesus

I'm trying to gauge just how staunch some of us are in our statements that a boss can dictate to his employees the terms under which they may live their lives."]I'm trying to gauge just how staunch some of us are in our statements that a boss can dictate to his employees the terms under which they may live their lives.

If a company restricts me from doing something I want to, I won't work for them.

They are free to be an idiot. I'm free to leave. One of the many benefits of living below your means.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JumpinJesus

Or, after 15 years of employment, your boss approaches you and says, "I see you ate at McDonald's the other day. They're food is unhealthy. I prefer that you eat only organic food approved by me. Beginning next week, I expect to see your grocery receipts. If I see you at McDonald's, you will be fired. I don't want your kids eating pizza, either because it's unhealthy. They could become obese and you could end up using sick days to care for them."

My answer is simple: "/shrug, fire me".

That doesn't take away his right to fire me, nor my right to ignore his request. He ownes my paycheck. If my paycheck owns me, then I'm fucked, and either stupid or desperate.

ShaniFaye · 02-10-2005, 08:41 AM

its bullshit, if he's so concerend about his overweight employee's he should give them all gastric bypasses.

By the standard Im obese, and I have never once had a doctor bill related to my weight.

FngKestrel · 02-10-2005, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strange Famous

Sacking of smokers
Sacking of overweight
Sacking of all people who's parents were not born in America
Sacking of all women who will not wear revealing uniforms?
Sacking of all who are not members of the Baptist church?

If one is allowable, then all of the other cases are merely matters of degree.

But isn't obesity listed as the number one health risk in America? When not being a baptist is a health risk, I can see this guy taking action to rectifying that.

02-10-2005, 08:41 AM	#43 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	its bullshit, if he's so concerend about his overweight employee's he should give them all gastric bypasses. By the standard Im obese, and I have never once had a doctor bill related to my weight. __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*