workers suspended over smoking lies

forrestlayne · #1 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 08:14 AM

Insurance...makes people pay more for "unhealthy" habits.
Of course, the people should not lie..but in the economical situtation of today.. not surprising.

39 Whirlpool workers suspended over smoking lies - CNN.com

"Dozens of Whirlpool factory workers suspended with pay for lying about smoking
Workers signed insurance paperwork claiming they did not use tobacco
Factory charges tobacco users an extra $500 in annual health insurance premiums"

foryoubabyblue · #2 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 01:26 PM

Saying you don't smoke and then using tobacco on company property seems pretty dumb. The company I work for is owned by an ex-smoker, and we used to fire people for smoking even near the building. That was a few years ago, and I don't know how legal it was, so now, if you get caught you can go to 'smoking rehab' instead. And yes, we do have to pay more for insurance if we smoke, about the same amount. I can understand that quitting is difficult, but insurance fraud is just that.

Ambrianna · #3 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foryoubabyblue

Saying you don't smoke and then using tobacco on company property seems pretty dumb. The company I work for is owned by an ex-smoker, and we used to fire people for smoking even near the building. That was a few years ago, and I don't know how legal it was, so now, if you get caught you can go to 'smoking rehab' instead. And yes, we do have to pay more for insurance if we smoke, about the same amount. I can understand that quitting is difficult, but insurance fraud is just that.

The thing I don't get is they spend more than $500.00 a year on cigarettes.

So why would it be a big deal?

Quitting IS hard, but it's one of the BEST hard things a person can ever do for themselves - and the people that love them.

cjs216 · #4 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 04:21 PM

Terrific that they found and are punishing those who commit fraud!

cj/

sexysmurf · #5 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 04:48 PM

I am glad they are being punished for their lies. The only problem I have is that it seems to be suspended with pay. Why pay them for lying? Shouldn't be suspended WITHOUT pay? I mean, suspended with pay is like a paid vacation....

csschultz · #6 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forrestlayne

Insurance...makes people pay more for "unhealthy" habits.
Of course, the people should not lie..but in the economical situtation of today.. not surprising.

39 Whirlpool workers suspended over smoking lies - CNN.com

"Dozens of Whirlpool factory workers suspended with pay for lying about smoking
Workers signed insurance paperwork claiming they did not use tobacco
Factory charges tobacco users an extra $500 in annual health insurance premiums"

What kind of punishment is this? Suspended with pay? That's like getting an extra vacation!
They should be suspended without pay, and made to pay the extra insurance premium or make arrangements to do so (payroll deduction) before they get to return to work.

cubmom2 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-24-2008, 10:30 AM

MY IL's used to work for Whirpool.. Does not surprise me .

dnj51 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-24-2008, 01:49 PM

GOOD! I wish all companies would investigate to catch insurance fraud issues like this.

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