HRM / OB Case Study

Tackling Workplace Obesity: An Ethical Dilemma for the US Employers

OR

Abstract:
Following a steep rise in its healthcare cost, GlobalMinds Consulting Pvt Ltd, a San Francisco-based consulting firm hired Prime Fitness Management to start on-site mandatory wellness programmes for its employees. Employees at large were reluctant and considered this to be intrusive. However, fearing penalties, employees began participating in the programme. Tim, an obese Senior Consultant who had been with the company for the past four years, came under huge pressure. He suffered from high blood pressure and cholesterol problems. Lately his medical compensation claims had started rising and frequent absenteeism was also being brought to his notice time and again. However, his obesity never affected his work. He had been a good consistent worker. With this new health drive life for Tim got harder. His participation in the wellness programme did not help. Three months had passed and he had shown close to no improvement. The consistent nagging from his health coach and stress to reduce weight began affecting his morale. Mike, HR head of his company told Tim that he was being penalised for not meeting medical screening requirements. His employee health insurance deductible was raised from $500 to $1250. One of Tim's colleagues was rewarded with a $2500 cash prize, Tim felt disheartened, feeling that the company was not being fair to him.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To analyse ethical issues involved in tackling workplace obesity.
• To analyse ethical implications involved in changing employees' lifestyles by using incentives and penalties.
• To understand the role of both management and employees in making corporate wellness programmes successful.

Keywords :  Human resource management, Ethical issues, Workplace obesity, Health care cost, Corporate wellness programs, Health care issues, Health care cost, Motivation at workplace