Liars getting fired

[wordsmythe]

News from The Associated Press

Whirlpool suspends 39 workers, says they lied about smoking
By TOM MURPHY
AP Business Writer


INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Smoking can be hazardous to your health, and it's turning into a bad career move, too.
A Whirlpool Corp. factory in Evansville, Ind., has suspended 39 workers who signed insurance paperwork claiming they don't use tobacco and then were seen smoking or chewing tobacco on company property. Now, some could be fired for lying, company spokeswoman Debby Castrale said.

As annual health care premiums rise more than 10 percent a year, many companies are trying to rein in costs by encouraging healthy living.

"I can't think of a client of ours who has not shifted their focus to controlling the cost of their health care plan," said Indianapolis benefits lawyer Mike Paton.

Some employers have developed wellness programs to motivate employees, while others ask employees to state on benefits forms whether they use tobacco.

Whirlpool, based in Benton Harbor, Mich., uses financial incentives to encourage U.S. workers and their dependents to abstain from tobacco use, spokeswoman Jill Saletta said. The specifics vary according to location.

In Evansville, the 1,500-employee factory charges tobacco users an extra $500 in annual health insurance premiums. The refrigerator factory has levied the extra premium since 1996, and it depends on employees to honestly fill out forms. It doesn't mandate blood tests to detect nicotine or trail employees outside work, Castrale said.

Management suspended the 39 employees Friday after they were spotted using either chewing tobacco on company property or taking a drag in one of the factory's dozen shelters for outdoor smoking, Castrale said.

"It's definitely not something we wanted to do," she said. "It's unpleasant."

The employees were suspended without pay, and they'll present their case at "fact-finding" meetings before management determines their fate. Whirlpool had to recall some laid-off workers to keep production running due to the suspensions.
A 2007 national survey showed that 16 percent of all large employers - those with 20,000 or more employees - adjust health care premium contributions according to the worker's smoking status, according to the human resources consulting firm Mercer.

The federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act limits the changes an employer can make to a health premium because of a worker's unhealthy habits. But it doesn't set parameters on punishment if an employee lies about his or her habit, Paton said.

Lewis Maltby, president of the National Workrights Institute, which advocates for employee privacy, sees no problem with employers trying to curb smoking. But he worries that the trend of cracking down on employees' unhealthy behavior is extending beyond tobacco use.

"We shouldn't have to give employers complete control over our private life so they can save a few dollars on medical care," he said.

[Army_of_One]

It's a good thing Congress doesn't fire those who lie....The building would be empty. Hillary would NEVER have a job again.

[wordsmythe]

Originally Posted by Army_of_One

It's a good thing Congress doesn't fire those who lie....The building would be empty. Hillary would NEVER have a job again.

Think what that would do to the RECRUITERS!

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by wordsmythe

Think what that would do to the RECRUITERS!

Hush Wordy...I can't speak for other recruiters because some get desperate..but I won't lie to an applicant.

I expected you to come back with some Bush lied about the war comment but you just took it to the throat. Good job.

[ksgrainman]

OH NO, look who's BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[momof2beautifulkids]

Originally Posted by ksgrainman

OH NO, look who's BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wordsmythe]

Originally Posted by Army_of_One

Hush Wordy...I can't speak for other recruiters because some get desperate..but I won't lie to an applicant.

I expected you to come back with some Bush lied about the war comment but you just took it to the throat. Good job.

I'm sure you don't LIE...

[357 mag]

Originally Posted by wordsmythe

I'm sure you don't LIE...

He just tells them he'll buy them dinner and give them a motel room if they go to Amarillo then he leaves them there! lol

[wordsmythe]

It's time to close this thread it's gone WAY off track!

[Bubba]

To get it back on track.... Did anybody ever think that at the time they filled out the papers and signed them that they didn't smoke or use tobacco, then at a later time, for whatever reason, they started smoking or using tobacco? Is there anything in the papers they signed that says they have to inform them when they start a new hobby/habit?