Mandatory employee excercise

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

"YMCA Membership paid by employer (must attend at least 3 times per week)"

I was just reading some job listings and this was listed under Benefits.

I have often thought that I would love it in the sedentary workplaces I've had if there would be an all-employee excercise session daily. Wouldn't even have to be anything vigorous. But then, I was one of theose weird kids who alwys loved Phys Ed in school, even when we did regimented calisthenics or lap running.

But an employer mandating how you must use some of your freetime?! Or, must I go to the YMCA _during_ office hours, paid by the employer?

Is this something you are seeing in your area?

[boefixepa]

You might read the small print. It probably means they will pay for it as long as you go three time a week. I could be wrong, but I can't see that as being legally enforceable, it would probably be a disability fairness (or whatever it's called) violation. Not a bad idea when you consider the health of the average american, but probably not something you could enforce as an employer.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Oh, yeah, you are probably right. If it were mandatory, it would not be a benefit, would it? I wonder what kind of frame of mind I was in to have interpreted it that way.

For your further amusement, one time I saw in a newspaper ad this "benefit": vending machines in lobby.

[sweeps]

Somewhat along the same lines is the company in Michigan that banned smoking by employees at all times, not just at work. I'm not a smoker, but that seems very intrusive to me.

[cschin4]

I really don't think my employer should have the right to tell me what I can or cannot do when I am not at the office. I would hope that others feel the same and would stand up to their employers and not allow them to dictate our lives. What is next? The company commune where we all have to live, eat, sleep, exercise together?
I don't think they have any right to tell people they can't smoke when not at the office. Yes, there are health concerns with smoking. But, there are people walking around who look perfectly healthy that could have future genetic problems, heart disease, diabetes, etc. Pretty soon they will tell you that you can't eat potato chips, drink a beer, put butter on your potato, no salt either and on and on. This kind of stuff needs to be stopped now or it will become more and more intrusive on our daily lives.

[cschin4]

I would turn down any benefit that "dictates" what I may or may not do. Buy your own Y membership if you want one.

[Tree0164]

Many companies are doing this to keep their health insurance costs down.

[cschin4]

There are many forms of exercise that do not involve going to the company gym. Hiking, biking, walking, etc. Some people don't want to work out in a gym environment. And, if I chose not to exercise at all, why is any business of the company? As long as I perform my job, then that is what matters.

[markio26]

so many things are changing in the workplace.. hard to keep up... my friend who works at a bank for many years, told me, another new ceo and more work for her too.... spouse is always complaining about more paperwork at laf and more duties... he has been rebelling by taking more time off.. he takes 4 months off each year, dec., jan., feb., mar....and maybe he will add another month off for next year.

[rachelb]

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
Hyperglycaemia and other related disturbances in the body’s metabolism can lead to serious damage to many of the body’s systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

There are two basic forms of diabetes:

Type 1: people with this type of diabetes produce very little or no insulin.

Type 2: people with this type of diabetes cannot use insulin effectively.
Most people with diabetes have type 2.

A third type of diabetes, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM),
develops during some cases of pregnancy but usually disappears after pregnancy.
People with type 1 diabetes require daily injections of insulin to survive.
People with type 2 diabetes can sometimes manage their condition with
lifestyle measures alone, but oral drugs are often required, and less frequently insulin, in order to achieve good metabolic control.
Common symptoms of type 1 diabetes include: excessive thirst; constant hunger; excessive urination; weight loss for no reason; rapid, hard breathing; vision changes; drowsiness or exhaustion. These symptoms may occur suddenly.

[kealina]

i think this is something like a benefit that was offered by DH's last employer... DH took advantage of it since he works out anyways...for those who want to work out at the gym you sign up for the program and the company subsidized a membership to 24 hr fitness (about half the cost we were paying) as long as you went in 3 times a week... DH simply asked the people at the service counter for a weekly print out and turned it into his office and would get compensated... it's by no means mandatory though as i think you figured out... it's simply a program they may offer...

[tabbycat31]

I'd use a company paid gym membership in a heartbeat....... finances are keeping me from working out anyways.

AS for the smoking thing, I left a company because they let their overnight employees smoke in the bathrooms. I'd go in there and it smelled like an ashtray. It's completely illegal, however all of management smokes, so they looked the other way.

[Broken Arrow]

Joan, what kind of job is it?

For example, if you're applying to be a physical trainer, then I don't see that as being unreasonable. It's a little strict to mandate it, but... it would be understandable. Also, it could be a way for them to separate those who are really interested in it, and those who just want to do it for the prestige... again, depending on the job.

[vishenda]

I think in my place its called "HATAW" Program

[pearlieq]

Unless, a Broken Arrow said, the job were fitness-based, I would vigorously oppose this and would never accept a job with such conditions. Even then, it would still seem intrusive to me.

As long as I'm abiding by the law, my employer has no business meddling in my private life. I can accept testing for illegal drugs, since that is a crime (though I'm not 100% behind that either) but I would never accept an employer dictating that I must exercise, couldn't smoke outside of the office, what I could eat, or where I could go.

This would NOT be acceptable to me. I have no problem with fitness, but I have lots of problems being forced into it by my employer!

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

This post was from back in June and I no longer remember what the job listing was for. I was helping a friend look for work as a research lab tech at the time, so it might have been that.

[PRICEPLUS]

I believe the gym was a perk. Three times a week is the threshold at which they will pay. No sense paying for something folks are not using. Can't see how it could be a mandatory thing!

[Tyson]

Nice sharing.
I think some people don't want to work out in a gym environment.
And, if I chose not to exercise at all.

[Scanner]

I see no problem with giving employees the freedom but applying a Fat Surcharge and Smoking Surcharge on their premiums.

Fair to all.

[DebbieL]

Originally Posted by cschin4

I would turn down any benefit that "dictates" what I may or may not do. Buy your own Y membership if you want one.

You can buy your own membership. All they're saying is they'll pay for it as long as you are using the damn thing (which most people who sign up for gyms don't). I see nothing wrong with that. Go 3 times a week if you want your employer to pay for it. Don't use it very often and feel free to spend your own money on it. It is still your choice. I consider this a nice benefit.