Like many corporations these days, the one I work for offers several ways in which associates can reduce the amount they pay for their health care. For example, non-smokers receive a $20 incentive every month tacked onto their paycheck. Unfortunately they don't go that extra step to verify you are a non-smoker, most likely because it would require a pee test. I suspect it's because the cost of having those non-smokers dribble a few drops in a little vile in order to verify their veracity isn't worth the logistical expense. Pee may not be as cheap as we think.
In the past, they have also given an additional $50 per month incentive if you participated in a "hidden health screening," where they do some blood work to check you cholesterol, triglycerides, and sugar. I always pass because, as my personal physician says, I have good genes. Translate this to read "I can eat a gallon of real ice cream every week without having adverse effects." The only thing I have to worry about is the weight, and if I worked out more I wouldn't have to worry about that. This year, however, to get that extra moola in your check you also need to participate in a Health Challenge. There is no way to option out. So, being the cheapy I am, I signed up.
The challenge is broken down into 3 areas: exercise, diet, and stress reduction. Starting July 10 I will need to sign in and provide answers to questions in order to earn points. Of course there is no real tracking here. There is no audit process for those taking the challenge. Oh, and the questions are rather simplistic.
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| Which BMI would you prefer? |
I can't make note that I ate a pint of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia this afternoon, but I can click the button recording the fact that I ate 6 helpings of fruits and vegetables. I can report that I did at least 30 minutes of "moderate exercise," but I can't let them know I did 45 minutes on the elliptical followed by 20 minutes of free weights. The "stress reduction" bit is more then a little amusing with questions like: "Did you simplify you finances?" and "Did you take 15 minutes to declutter?" Usually I declutter every morning, before I take a shower.
The 'challenge' runs for two months. In order to continue to receive the incentive you need to participate for at least 3 weeks. Since they are doing it from the privacy of their own homes, associates can be as honest or dishonest as they like. I'll bet a gallon of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream many of them will fudge it. Me? I'll give them the facts as best as I am able. Do you think they really care if, right after I publish this, I'm going to chow down on a large pepperoni pizza? Nah. Most likely those in charge are gambling that many of those participating will fail and the corporation will end up saving some money. Hey, maybe they could use the money they save to pay for a pee test.
