Comments on: Whirlpool Suspends 39 Workers: They Lied About Smoking

By: Michigan & The One-State Recession « Team Building Is For Suckers

Michigan & The One-State Recession « Team Building Is For Suckers — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:19:21 +0000

[...] best thing that our federal government can do for Michigan (and for our automotive industry) is to decouple heath insurance from the employment covenant. I’m not sure it’s helpful for our courts engage in judicial activism and link [...]

By: Don’t Do This: National Walk @ Lunch Day « Team Building Is For Suckers

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:58:47 +0000

[...] I’m not anti-walking, necessarily, but I’m pro-MYOB when it comes to employers and private health matters. [...]

By: Laurie

Laurie — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:48:28 +0000

Hello, Fire. I guess my question is this — when does it end? Do we require that our federal employees stop eating trans-fat because taxpayers subsidize federal health insurance? Should our congressmen lose their health care coverage if they have unprotected sex and give/receive STDs to other people? Should we require our postal workers to work out 4-5 days/week to ensure strong back muscles so they can lift boxes without back injury?

I think smoking is ridiculous — it’s a legally addictive product that is chemically manipulated and made more addictive by corporations who then lied to the American public for many years about its safety — but the issue of smoking isn’t managed consistently in the workforce.

By: fire1

fire1 — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:38:34 +0000

You are indeed a dreamer. Smoking is more than a health issue for some employees - for example the many police and firefighters who are covered by “presumption” laws that make heart and lung ailments fully covered by Worker’s Compensation. That means continued salary and full medical coverage for life if a disability occurs for any heart-lung related reason.
That’s why some of the smarter states have made it illegal for police and firefighters to smoke, on or off the job (Florida has for firefighters since 1986 required “no use of tobacco products 12 months preceding hiring, the local department must enforce from that point). (Do the effects change based on where the smoking occurs?). Not surprisingly, the various unions representing police and firefighters have accepted the laws - with “grandfathering” and smoking cessation programs- in order to keep the greater benefit - the automatic presumption with its full coverages.
The argument is not whether smoking leads to health problems. It is whether those who pay (taxpayers) for heart/lung ailments in their most valued, heroic employees, have a right to require the employee protect said heart and lungs with best available methods — wearing breathing protection when fighting fires, and not voluntarily breathing smoke at the taxpayer’s later expense.

By: Andres

Andres — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:21:37 +0000

The misionary position is hazardous to my health?

Dead Man Walking

By: Laurie

Laurie — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:18:47 +0000

Amen, anonymous.

By: Anon

Anon — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:08:08 +0000

A large police force in Florida did an analysis of their insurance costs after they implemented their no smoking policy. They dropped their no smoking policy after it was discovered there was no change/savings in their insurance costs and their cops were happier. Companies already discriminate against smokers and the overweight maybe they’ll discriminate against you for not having sex strictly in the missionary position as it may be hazardous to your health.

Food for thought.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:51:35 +0000

Wenchie, you are so evil. It’s impressive, actually.

By: hr wench

hr wench — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:07:15 +0000

Maybe you’re a dreamer….but you’re not the only one (cue John Lennon clip!)

At my old job when people signed up for supplemental life insurance (and had to fill out the carrier’s health questionairre) I told them if they lie about smoking they are committing insurance fraud and could go to jail for it. They always believed me. It was hilarious.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:45:14 +0000

They’re smoking, lying, and eating brain sandwiches.