Wellness, Good and Bad

The Associated Press has a good roundup story on recent corporate wellness efforts at a few large companies, including General Mills.

The story explores recent examples of carrot (good) and stick (bad) approaches to wellness incentives--and the whole idea of whether incentives that are too big really take away a program's "voluntariness."

The article states:

Do employees have the choice of opting out?

"Of course," said Tim Crimmins, [General Mills'] vice president of health and safety, who acts as chief medical officer. But, he adds, for those who don't take part, "It's a little like not being invited to the party."

For more on the General Mills employee wellness plan, see this excellent article by Crimmins that appears on the HR Management website.