Obama administration to remove hurdle to 'wellness' penalties

[Little Tich]

Source: Yahoo! News / Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters) - In what would be a significant and hard-fought victory for U.S. businesses, the Obama administration said on Thursday it will propose new rules for workplace wellness programs that would treat as voluntary even plans that penalize workers thousands of dollars for not participating.

That decision, which will be published in the Federal Register on Monday, opening 60 days for public comment, would likely remove the government's legal challenge to the wellness program at Honeywell International Inc.

Last year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued Honeywell, arguing that penalties in its workplace wellness program, which can reach $4,000 a year for workers who choose not to participate, made it involuntary.

The "voluntary" standard is critical because a landmark anti-discrimination law largely prohibits employers from asking questions about the health of workers unless the queries relate to their ability to perform a job.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-administration-remove-hurdle-wellness-penalties-161109852--sector.html

[PoliticAverse]

1. "opening 60 days for public comment". n/t

[progree]

2. It's voluntary because you can choose to participate or pay $thousands in penalties

The Business Roundtable argues that wellness programs with hefty penalties are voluntary "because employees can elect to participate or pay the penalty," said its outside counsel, Nancy Taylor.

[groundloop]

3. Anyone have a link on where to submit comments?

I'm definitely gonna' submit comments on this, and will twist the arms of anyone that will listen to me urging them to comment as well. A $4000 fine for not 'volunteering' to participate in an employer run wellness program is bullshit, not to mention the fact that this is allowing employers to directly ask questions about your health which should be confidential.

[cosmicone]

4. Just turn it around

and pay people $4,000 to participate. Then there is no penalty for not participating.

[progree]

5. Likewise pay men $4,000 more than women, and then women aren't being penalized.

Just turn it around
and pay people $4,000 to participate. Then there is no penalty for not participating.

Pay straights $4,000 more than gays, Christians $4,000 more than Muslims, ...