Premium Essay

Legal Aspects of Workplace Wellness

In:

Submitted By theblaze99
Words 2631
Pages 11
Workplace wellness programs have gained an increasing spotlight in recent years with the introduction and eventual rollout of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), also known as Obamacare. These types of programs are organized, managed or sponsored by employers with a focus on enriching the lives and wellbeing of employees by improving their physical, mental, emotional and occupational health through education and awareness. The design of these incentive-based programs encourage and reward health conscious behavior such as healthy dietary habits, physical activity, stress management and smoking cessation as well as other disease prevention measures by providing financial incentive or other type of rewards for changing health-related behavior or improving measurable outcomes. Providing or endorsing these types of programs and absorbing the costs associated with the products and services, there must be an incentive for the company as well. It has been touted that these programs have long-term, positive implications for companies such as reducing healthcare costs associated with workplace injuries and occupational complications, increasing productivity, reducing absenteeism, improving employee morale and enhancing the general culture and environment within the workplace.
The American Heart Association has reported that by 2030, 40% of Americans will have a diagnosed cardiovascular disease and direct medical costs to society will rise from $278 billion to $818 billion with combined indirect and direct costs totaling over $1.3 trillion. For American businesses, this breaks down to costs of $304.6 billion as a result of heart disease and stroke alone and $24 billion in associated loss of productivity and morbidity. In fact, cardiovascular diseases makes up between 25-30% of employer’s healthcare costs with the majority of this cost coming from

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Human Resource

...REPORT Top 10 Best Practices in HR Management For 2011 30610860 SPECIAL REPORT Top 10 Best Practices in HR Management For 2011 30610860 Executive Publisher and Editor in Chief: Robert L. Brady, J.D. Managing Editor–HR: Legal Editor: Editor: Production Supervisor: Graphic Design: Production & Layout: Patricia M. Trainor, J.D. Susan E. Prince, J.D. Elaine V. Quayle Isabelle B. Smith Catherine A. Downie Sherry Newcomb This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. (From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers.) © 2006-2011 BUSINESS & LEGAL REPORTS, INC. All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in part or in whole by any process without written permission from the publisher. Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use or the internal or personal use of specific clients is granted by Business & Legal Reports, Inc. For permission to reuse material from Top 10 Best Practices in HR Management for 2011, ISBN 1-55645-317-5, please go to http://www.copyright.com or contact the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. (CCC), 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers...

Words: 23795 - Pages: 96

Premium Essay

Wellness Programs

...Wellness Programs Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Wellness Program The research conducted by Aon Hewitt on the best employers in Canada helped identify the best 50. The research was done by surveying employees and measuring their opinions the company’s leadership and management, career development, and recognition as well as productivity. Another research conducted by McLean Company proceed to interview the 50 listed companies top management to establish what they think made their employees gave the companies higher marks. The outcome of the research indicated that best perks, initiatives and other opportunities on offer such as wellness programs were considered important by employees. Two companies that owe part of their ratings to their wellness programs include the Co-operators insurance company and the ATB Financial services. This essay aims at looking at their wellness programs (macleans.ca, 2014, n.d) Wellness programs help both the employees and employers to be more productive and in turn increase the company’s human resource potential. Well and fit employees are known to establish a good rapport with their employers and thus enjoy their job which in turn means that their work morale is always at the peak. The program further helps reduce the costs of health care and tax benefits. The wellness programs can be offered on the employer's places or off-the-site. However, some companies are now offering both on-site and off-site wellness programs. These programs...

Words: 2276 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Wellness Programs

...Wellness Programs Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Wellness Program The research conducted by Aon Hewitt on the best employers in Canada helped identify the best 50. The research was done by surveying employees and measuring their opinions the company’s leadership and management, career development, and recognition as well as productivity. Another research conducted by McLean Company proceed to interview the 50 listed companies top management to establish what they think made their employees gave the companies higher marks. The outcome of the research indicated that best perks, initiatives and other opportunities on offer such as wellness programs were considered important by employees. Two companies that owe part of their ratings to their wellness programs include the Co-operators insurance company and the ATB Financial services. This essay aims at looking at their wellness programs (macleans.ca, 2014, n.d) Wellness programs help both the employees and employers to be more productive and in turn increase the company’s human resource potential. Well and fit employees are known to establish a good rapport with their employers and thus enjoy their job which in turn means that their work morale is always at the peak. The program further helps reduce the costs of health care and tax benefits. The wellness programs can be offered on the employer's places or off-the-site. However, some companies are now offering both on-site and off-site wellness programs. These programs...

Words: 2276 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Hrm 586 Course Project

...[pic] Quality of work life programs: are they nothing more than a fad? HRM 586 Labor Relations [pic] Abstract As the economy of the world continue to struggle due to stiff competition and rapid global expansion, labor organizations in every country of the world continue to find ways and means to help their respective workforces develop their skills and knowledge, as well as improve their health and wellness. Strategic implementation of quality work life programs and activities have all been critically evaluated by experts to determine their effectiveness on the organizations as a whole, meaning, how those programs will benefit not only the employees but the companies as well. The objective of this project is to inform the public and concerned entities about the kinds of plans and programs that public and private organizations have extended to their workforce to improve the quality of their life within and outside of the workplace. This paper will also try to evaluate the success of these projects and will try to offer other options and related programs to achieve a more favorable outcome for the whole organizations. Table of Contents Abstract 1 Purpose 5 Basic Issues and Research Questions..........................................................................................5-6 Literature review 6-13 Recommendations 13-18 Conclusion 18-20 References 21-22 Quality of Work Life Programs: Are They Nothing...

Words: 5499 - Pages: 22

Premium Essay

Hr Debate Paper

...Debate Paper MBA 5600 Human Resource Management Debate Paper Introductory Statement & Overview of position Controversial Position The controversial position of Scott’s organization, can tell employees what to do on the companies times and property and an employee’s own time. Traditional Position Companies have the right to tell employees what to do on company’s time and property, but at home employees can do what they want. As Jim Lowe “started each day with two doughnuts. Lunch was pair of Whoppers and fries. Nighttime involved a bag of chips, a couch, and a clicker”(Conlin, 2007). My Position My overview position is traditional position I believe that Organizational or Companies have the right tell employees what do on company’s time but at employees can do what they wish at the privacy of their own home. Argument # 1 Controversial Argument Corporations find new ways to save money, as Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. and other organization are banning employees from smoking, regardless of whether it is done on company or personal time. Scotts believes if you work of us you are band from certain things. Traditional Position Rebuttal Some times in a job you must bring your work home; organizations are saying you must bring their rules and regulation home. Many organizations such as Scotts is trying to control people personal life outside of work. Such organization that help employees outside of work as NWI(National Work Rights Institute), is protecting...

Words: 3437 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Debate Paper

...Debate Paper MBA 5600 Human Resource Management Debate Paper Introductory Statement & Overview of position Controversial Position The controversial position of Scott’s organization, can tell employees what to do on the companies times and property and an employee’s own time. Traditional Position Companies have the right to tell employees what to do on company’s time and property, but at home employees can do what they want. As Jim Lowe “started each day with two doughnuts. Lunch was pair of Whoppers and fries. Nighttime involved a bag of chips, a couch, and a clicker”(Conlin, 2007). My Position My overview position is traditional position I believe that Organizational or Companies have the right tell employees what do on company’s time but at employees can do what they wish at the privacy of their own home. Argument # 1 Controversial Argument Corporations find new ways to save money, as Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. and other organization are banning employees from smoking, regardless of whether it is done on company or personal time. Scotts believes if you work of us you are band from certain things. Traditional Position Rebuttal Some times in a job you must bring your work home; organizations are saying you must bring their rules and regulation home. Many organizations such as Scotts is trying to control people personal life outside of work. Such organization that help employees outside of work as NWI(National Work Rights Institute), is protecting...

Words: 3441 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

A Critical Evaluation of the Relative Importance of One of the Key Hr Functions and Its Role in Effective Hrm in Organisations Today, with Reference to Hrm Models and Theories

...Employment Relations that are seen in organizations today, as well as the importance of the integration of other key HRM practices and the management of the organisation as a whole. As well as examining the key HR functions I will also analyse the key models, theories and concepts that have a direct impact on HRM such as the Fombrun, Harvard and Warwick models that are seen to be used in many different organisations today. Employee Relations is a collective term in the Human Resources function that includes employee engagement within the workplace, values the employees’ rights to be part of trade unions. It also sets in stone in most organisations the employment legislation as well as managing grievance and disciplinary actions. Employment Relations is regarded as a relatively new term as it has previously was known as industrial relations conversely it does not have the same standards and equality as Employment Relations has in the Human Relations workplace. “In order to survive, industrial relations needs to change its focus to “employment relations”, examining not just institutions but how the employment relationship operates in practice” (Blyton and Turnbull, 1998, as cited in Edwards 1995) Blyton and Turnbull (2004) argue that within industrial relations literature there is oversimplified misconception regarding what it involves in the...

Words: 2386 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Social Responsibility

...Social Responsibility The concept of social responsibility had been in existence in the corporate world. Businesses and firms have a responsibility to the society in which they prevail and operate. It is their obligation to give back to the community where they are sustained. Such giving back or supporting the community in some form is the social responsibility action of the enterprise. The giving back to the community may be as financial support, promoting the community through opportunities to develop, making the society safer through eco-friendly strategies and keeping the business profitably sustained in the community so that the society ultimately benefit from the business one way or another. The concept of social responsibility has changed a lot in recent years, expanding beyond an act of charity to the society. It is now the consideration of people, planet and profit. People are now concerned not only with the product but also with the methods of production. How the manufacturing practices of a firm in bringing out a consumer product affect the planet and people is of significance for today’s society. That has become the focus of social responsibility of manufacturers, businesses and other corporations. How the society as a whole is benefited or affected, is looked upon carefully. Business enterprises and manufacturing companies can longer act in vacuum any more. Their actions in a multitude of ways affect the society and the impact whether positive or negative is weighed...

Words: 2423 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Is It Ok to Cry in the Workplace?

...Is it OK to Cry at Work? Managing emotions in the workplace Managing emotions in the workplace is a challenge for many organizations. Emotions are not measurable, and cannot easily be predicted, and this can be difficult for management. Emotional outbursts are still often seen a sign of weakness or as an indication of irrational thought or behavior (Robbins, 2015, p. 95). Emotions are not easy to regulate, although emotional regulation as part of the study of emotional intelligence is being studied (Robbins, 2015, p. 107). The ability to control emotions may be a “strong predictor of job performance” (Robbins, 2015, p. 107). The show of emotion is inherent in each of us, and individuals can show very different emotional response to the same stimuli, so response to the same event can be very different, based on the individual’s current mood and others factors. Many people can become very good at masking emotions, and in fact in some jobs it might be very important to achieve a high level of emotional dissonance, however this disparity between what we are feeling and what we are displaying can be counterproductive. In fact, in one study it was determined that “individuals with highly developed self-monitoring capabilities are more negatively affected by emotional dissonance” (Abraham, 1999, p. 451). Another factor that may come into play in attempting to manage emotion in the workplace is gender differences. It is commonly believed that in the US men are taught...

Words: 2049 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Business Communication

...ABOUT NESTLE Nestlé is a Swiss multinational food and beverage company headquartered in Vevey , Switzerland. It is the largest food company in the world measured by revenues. Nestlé’s products include baby food, bottled water, breakfast cereals, coffee and tea, confectionery, dairy products, ice cream, frozen food, pet foods, and snacks. Twenty-nine of Nestlé’s brands have annual sales of over about US$1.1 billion including Nespresso, Nescafé, Kit Kat, Smarties, Nesquik, Stouffer’s, Vittel, and Maggi. Nestlé has 447 factories, operates in 194 countries, and employs around 333,000 people. It is one of the main shareholders of L’Oreal, the world’s largest cosmetics company. Nestlé was formed in 1905 by the merger of the Anglo-Swiss Milk Company, established in 1866 by brothers George Page and Charles Page, and Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé, founded in 1866 by Henri Nestlé. The company grew significantly during the First World War and again following the Second World War, expanding its offerings beyond its early condensed milk and infant formula products. The company has made a number of corporate acquisitions, including Crosse & Blackwell in 1950, Findus in 1963, Libby's in 1971, Rowntree Mackintosh in 1988, and Gerber in 2007. Nestlé has 8,000 brands, with a wide range of products across a number of markets, including coffee, bottled water, milkshakes and other beverages, breakfast cereals, infant foods, performance and healthcare nutrition, seasonings, soups and sauces, frozen...

Words: 3875 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

Workplace Violence, Bullying and Life Balance Initiatives

...safe work environment. Human Resources must ensure that the workplace is free of harassment and bullying. Employees should feel comfortable and safe in their place of employment. Creating a productive working environment is beneficial to both the employee and the organization. Failing to take action in regards to workplace harassment and bullying leaves the organization liable for legal repercussions. Workplace harassment and bullying can often deter workers from committing violent acts against other employees and coworkers. Initiatives like Work-life balance can help to prevent workplace violence and harassment. Human Resources must do all that it can to ensure employees’ safety and to make the worker feel valued and supported at work and that federal guidelines are being followed. The Mariam-Webster dictionary defines harassment as creating an unpleasant or hostile situation for especially uninvited and unwelcomed verbal or physical conduct. It is the responsibility of the organization to immediately act on all claims of harassment. HR must be able to identify harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and violations of both federal and the organization’s policy. Harassment at work does not have to only be of a sexual nature. Workplace bullies can be employees, such as a bad boss or coworker, and sometimes a non-employee such as a client. Bullying at work is an increasing problem. Like childhood bullying workplace bullying is the tendency of individuals or groups to use persistent...

Words: 1883 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

The Best Hr Department

...The Best HR Department Project Lauren Secko Human Resource Management SNHU 71 Aiken Street, Unit H6 Norwalk, CT 06851 Telephone: 203.550.8114 Email: lsecko@newcanaanymca.org Instructor: Dr. Bonnie Nelsen Executive Summary The best HR departments are ones that bring out the best in the team that they are working with. This is done through asking for and being open to feedback from those that you are representing. There are many components that go into this process, and one is no more important than the next. It is all of them together that brings forth an innovative and inclusive HR department that is there to service each and every staff member that is hired. From training and development, to retention and top talent recruitment, HR departments need to understand what is important to their staff and how they can make that team feel engaged and valued. When one is able to perfect that, they can then formulate a department and company that is working towards a common mission and goal. I hope to address this process through my paper that follows. The Best HR Department The best HR departments are ones that are able to attract and help to retain top talent. These departments help their employees feel valued as more than just a number or a tool to make their company better. Instead they make sure that employees know that who they are outside of work and what experiences they bring to the table every day, are valued and received. HR should be a place...

Words: 5783 - Pages: 24

Premium Essay

Marketing and Wellness Prevention

...One of the most common ethical issues facing healthcare marketing managers, is the issue of effectively ensuring that the item that they are marketing is commensurate with the health and safety of the individuals who will be utilizing the product, due to the fact that many healthcare organizations engage in marketing products that have not been thoroughly tested, and this could cause tremendous safety implications for the general public. So it is imperative that marketing managers seek to ensure that the products that they are marketing to the public at large are actually safe for the consumer to utilize. Another ethical issue facing marketing managers is the issue of marketing the products to the individuals that are most in need of those products, instead of marketing these products to the mass population, as a means by which to increase the profitability of their healthcare organization. Although any individual has the right to purchase a product that is marketed, many individuals do not have the knowledge that is needed to ascertain whether or not the product is absolutely necessary for them, which makes it imperative that marketing managers seek to focus their marketing to those individuals that are in need of the products that they are advertising. A methodology that could be utilized to effectively ensure that the products that marketing managers are marketing are safe for the public, is to ensure that the drugs or other healthcare related products have been approved by...

Words: 1246 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Management

...contents List of figures List of tables About the authors About the contributors Preface Authors’ acknowledgements Tour of the book HRM as I see it: video and text feature Publisher’s acknowledgements Key topics grid xviii xx xxi xxii xxv xxxiii xxxiv xxxvi xxxviii xl 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 5 6 8 9 9 13 16 17 18 18 20 22 22 24 25 27 30 I the arena of contemporary human resource management 1 the nature of contemporary HRM John Bratton Outline Objectives Introduction The development of HRM Keynesianism: collectivism and personnel management HRM in practice 1.1: A new role for HR professionals Neo-liberalism: individualism and HRM Management and HRM The meaning of ‘human resource’ The meaning of ‘management’ The nature of the employment relationship Scope and functions of HRM Theoretical perspectives on HRM HRM in practice 1.2: Twenty-first-century senior HR leaders have a changing role The Fombrun, Tichy and Devanna model of HRM The Harvard model of HRM The Guest model of HRM The Warwick model of HRM The Storey model of HRM HRM and globalization: The HRM model in advancing economies? Ulrich’s strategic partner model of HRM Studying HRM Critique and paradox in HRM viii contents ix Case study: Canterbury Hospital Summary, Vocab checklist for ESL students, Review questions and Further reading to improve your mark 33 34 37 37 37 38 38 39 41 44 44 45 46 48 50 52 54 55 56 56 58 60 62 65 66 69 69 69 70 70 71 72 72 73 73 74 77 78 80 81 88 92 2 corporate strategy and strategic...

Words: 37021 - Pages: 149

Premium Essay

Human Resource Managem

...functions of HRM, explains the differences between HRM and Personnel Management, evaluates ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ approaches to HRM, illustrates how diversity is an issue in Human Relations (HR) practice and finally considers HRM as an international issue. It concludes with a discussion about ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ models of HRM and its implications for the human resource manager. INTRODUCTION The term "human resource management" has been commonly used for about the last ten to fifteen years. Prior to that, the field was generally known as "personnel administration." The name change is not merely cosmetics. Personnel administration, which emerged as a clearly defined field by the 1920s (at least in the US), was largely concerned the technical aspects of hiring, evaluating, training, and compensating employees and was very much of "staff" function in most organizations. The field did not normally focus on the relationship of disparate employment practices on overall organizational performance or on the systematic relationships among such practices. The field also lacked a unifying paradigm. HRM developed in response to the substantial increase in competitive pressures American business organizations began experiencing by the late 1970s as a result of such factors as globalization, deregulation, and...

Words: 4678 - Pages: 19