Unhealthy Habits Could Affect Your Paycheck

Unhealthy habits can be costly, financially speaking, in many ways. Smoking, for example, can be very expensive since a pack of cigarettes now cost a small fortune.

But an unhealthy lifestyle can also involve a lot of added medical costs. If you are covered by an employer’s insurance plan, these costs can result in higher premiums for the employer. As a result, many companies are in turn passing these costs on to the workers.

As this article says, some companies are requiring employees to adopt or maintain steps toward a healthy lifestyle—such as participating in certain preventive care measures. Workers who don’t adhere to these rules will face considerably higher insurance premiums.

Other companies are taking the opposite approach, using positive incentives to help motivate workers to adopt a healthier lifestyle. For example, they may offer discounted (or even free) fitness center memberships.

Does your employer offer rewards or impose penalties for your health-related lifestyle? Share your story in the comments.

Image courtesy of chmop