39 Whirlpool workers suspended over smoking lies

[almaty 19]

39 Whirlpool workers suspended over smoking lies

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

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (AP) -- Smoking can be hazardous to your health, and it's turning into a bad career move, too.

Some Whirlpool Corp. workers may be fired after they were seen smoking on company property.

A Whirlpool Corp. factory in Evansville, Indiana, 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, Indiana, 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, Michigan, 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. E-mail to a friend

[Nagishkaw 510]

Such criminals! What's next, life without parole?

[almaty 19]

no health insurance for you! is the next step

[MissStacey 1]

Maybe they should worry more about their products- we had to toss a 3 year old fridge because it was leaking freon. It would have cost too much to have it repaired.

And the dishwasher- I have had several repairmen out to look at it. Now I don't bother and just hand wash everything.

Let them smoke- if it makes them happier employees- they might take more care in their work and products.

[almaty 19]

i agree..they bought Maytag out ..and in my home town..of 9500 ,..they shut down the factory ..laying off 1200...the factory been there making Norges since 1950s

[Jenn! 918]

smokers end up costing taxpayers less money because they die earlier

smoke em if you got em

[Ban Hammer 14,297]

Such criminals! What's next, life without parole?

freeze! cigarette police! drop the lighter!

[Nagishkaw 510]

Oh no's ! I have a brand new Whirlpool fridge and washer and dryer.

[Krikit 1,166]

Whirlpool makes ####### products. That I've had experience with, anyway. I don't understand the suspension-without-pay though. Why wouldn't they just charge them the premium retroactively? Seems less likely to trigger a complaint or a lawsuit.

[Sister Fracas 5]

The fact is they DID lie. They signed paperwork saying they didn't smoke. Whirlpool didn't say they couldn't smoke, just that they'd have to pay more in premiums. And they got caught on company property. At least if you are going to lie and try to get away with something, don't to it in the company's face....D'OH!

Suspension without pay seems a bit harsh....perhaps just retractively charging them what they would have been responsible for since they signed the paperwork would have been more fitting.

[almaty 19]

maybe, they just started the habit up again and did not smoke when they sign the forms..like quit for a day

[Sister Fracas 5]

maybe, they just started the habit up again and did not smoke when they sign the forms..like quit for a day

the day they signed the papers... LOL

[almaty 19]

maybe, they just started the habit up again and did not smoke when they sign the forms..like quit for a day

the day they signed the papers... LOL

of course...

[SaadBell 0]

Maybe they should worry more about their products- we had to toss a 3 year old fridge because it was leaking freon. It would have cost too much to have it repaired.

And the dishwasher- I have had several repairmen out to look at it. Now I don't bother and just hand wash everything.

Let them smoke- if it makes them happier employees- they might take more care in their work and products.

Worry about simple things like your non-working appliance, please, when probing the private life’s of their employees is so much more fun. Leaking freon or spying, I chose invade that privacy, let the kids play with the leaking freon, makes em strong.

[russ 1]

maybe, they just started the habit up again and did not smoke when they sign the forms..like quit for a day

Depends on the wording of what they signed, but I don't think it is unreasonable that out for 1,500 people, 39 could have quit and subsequently started smoking again (quitting isn't easy).