R&K Blog
According to Anthem’s 2018 National Health Benefits Statistics & Trends Report, employers are trying to motivate employees to take steps toward living a healthier lifestyle. In doing so, employers are figuring out low-cost ways to incentivize their workforce. In 2017, research shows that 74% of employers offered incentives, including tobacco cessation programs. Some employers offer incentives that reward employees for a specific outcome, such as participating in one of these programs, while other employers choose to use penalties for tobacco usage. Programs encouraging employees to quit smoking can lower the effects of health risk factors on benefits costs and slow down benefit cost increases.
The report also shows that there has been a 41% decrease in the number of Americans who smoke since 1990, a number which levels-out to less than one in every 5 people. Here are some tactics to help curb smoking at your workplace:
First, establish a company policy prohibiting tobacco use anywhere on company property. Provide posters to support your tobacco-free policy. Display them in common areas where employees are usually posted.
Next, establish a policy supporting participation in smoking cessation activities. Provide tobacco cessation counseling through an individual, group or telephone counseling program. It’s a great idea to make sure your health plan covers a variety of tobacco cessation medications.
By considering the strategies above, you can implement low-cost wellness activities at your workplace. For help setting up a tobacco cessation program, contact Rose & Kiernan, Inc.
Rose & Kiernan, Inc. offers workplace wellness support through our signature platform RKHealthy Workforce. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us here or by calling (800) 242-4433.