Wow, it really seems like they are pushing the line when it comes to discrimination. What happens if an employee refuses to quit smoking, an activity that is perfectly legal, will they be fired?
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/ar...mark-warns-workers-There-ll-be-no-lighting-up
Is Wellmark going to ask potential employees these questions as which are a threat to insurance premiums as well?
*If you're single, do you have unprotected sex with your boy friend/girl friend?
*What's your sexual history and background? (after all, you might be at risk for STD's and AIDS.)
*How much liquor and beer do you consume in a given week?
*How much sugary drinks do you consume in a given week?
*Do you have a perfect driving record?
*How often do you eat fast food?
*How often do you exercise?
It's one thing for a business to ban smoking on their property (which I take an issue with because you're outside and away from non-smokers and i'm a non-smoker), but to tell employees you cann't smoke on your lunch break while in the privacy of your own vehicle running personal erands?
We're just hitting the tip of the ice berg and it's only going to get worse.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/ar...mark-warns-workers-There-ll-be-no-lighting-up
The insurer will "require applicants to assert that they are tobacco-free in order to be considered for a position," said Rob Schweers, spokesman for Wellmark, which employs approximately 1,600 people in Des Moines and another 200 throughout the rest of the state.
Wellmark is asking existing employees to stop using tobacco by Oct. 1. The new policy also prohibits any smoking during work hours, including scheduled breaks and during lunch.
"Doing this type of thing really does infringe on their employees' ability to live their lives as they choose," said Ben Stone, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa.
"It certainly doesn't have anything to do with second-hand smoke," he said. "It has everything to do with telling people what to do on their own time."
Is Wellmark going to ask potential employees these questions as which are a threat to insurance premiums as well?
*If you're single, do you have unprotected sex with your boy friend/girl friend?
*What's your sexual history and background? (after all, you might be at risk for STD's and AIDS.)
*How much liquor and beer do you consume in a given week?
*How much sugary drinks do you consume in a given week?
*Do you have a perfect driving record?
*How often do you eat fast food?
*How often do you exercise?
It's one thing for a business to ban smoking on their property (which I take an issue with because you're outside and away from non-smokers and i'm a non-smoker), but to tell employees you cann't smoke on your lunch break while in the privacy of your own vehicle running personal erands?
We're just hitting the tip of the ice berg and it's only going to get worse.