Whirlpool doesn't like smokers who lie about their habit
The Whirlpool factory in Evansville Indiana suspended 39 workers without pay after they tried to defraud insurance company, and save money on their own annual premiums, by lying about their tobacco use. These not-too-smart workers were seen smoking and chewing tobacco on company property. Company spokesman Debby Castrale says that the workers may be fired for lying.
Employors are experiencing health care costs rising at more than 10% a year, and a are desperate to stem the tied.
Mike Paton is an Indianopolis benefits lawyer, and he says his clients are trying to control the cost of their health care.
Whirlpool has a policy since 1996 to charge employees $500 extra a year if they use tobacco.
Whirlpool has stopped just short of using blood tests to detect nicotine, and does not yet trail employees outside work.
A 2007 survey says that 16 percent of large employers with more than 20,000 employees also make smoking employees pay more.
Employers are frustrated in their efforts to pass on the cost of extra healthcare premiums to employees by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act which limits the changes an employer can make to a health premium because of a worker's unhealthy habits. However that law doesn't protect liars.
Lewis Maltby, president of National Workrights Institute, says "We shouldn't have to give employers complete control over our private life so they can save a few dollars on medical care," he said. He predicts the trend may extend beyond smoking.
Comments:
- Smoking please give me a break. I work in health care the biggest medical issue we are facing (besides not having socialized medicine) is the grossly obese. The amount of money these folks will eat up. The health costs are extreme. I say if someone smokes and it keeps the disgusting American tonnage off, go for it.
- This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Smoking has it's health issues, however it is personal choice and no employer should have the authority to base employment on personal choices. I understand it was because they lied on thier insurance application, but that has nothing to do with the employee's ability to perform the job. Why doesn't the insurance company suspend the insured ************ of time, and re-insure them at a higher premium after the suspension. Don't mess with someone's means of survival for them and their family over something that's legal
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