The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is presently investigating Honeywell International because the firm recently asked employees to participate in a voluntary health screening of their cholesterol, body-mass index, and other health measures as part of the firm’s corporate wellness program. The EEOC has a problem with the provision that employees choosing not to sit for the medical screenings could face up to $4,000 in surcharges and lost incentives in 2015. This is only the third EECO investigation of any company’s corporate wellness program, the other two being Flamgea Inc, owned by Nordic Group, and Orion Energy Systems, when employees were fired for not participating or their insurance cancelled for not participating in the firm’s corporate wellness program. The EEOC got involved in the Honeywell matter when two employees filed discrimination charges under the Americans with Disabilities Act, after being requested to participate in the firm’s health screenings. Honeywell’s program also applies to spouses of employees when those persons are covered too by the firm’s health-insurance plans. Health insurance is expensive and companies desire a healthy workforce. Interestingly, the Obama administration and the Affordable Care Act tout corporate wellness programs as an excellent way for employers to promote overall worker health and thus to cut insurance costs.

Source: Based on Lauren Weber, “Honeywell Wellness Program Faces Test,” Wall Street Journal, October 30, 2014, p. B3.