SLUniverse Forums

Richie Waves · 04-23-2008, 05:37 PM

Tribune Co earned the scorn of its smoking employees when it decided to charge them $100 more than their non-smoking brethren for health insurance. That was before Sam Zell took over, however. Here’s the memo that went out to employees today.

Since the closing of the going-private transaction last December, we’ve been reviewing policies and practices across the company, including Tribune’s healthcare benefits. While well-intentioned, we think the tobacco-use fee implemented by the previous management team is inconsistent with the new culture we’re developing-we’d rather you use your own judgment when it comes to tobacco use, not impose ours upon you.

This policy was a part of open enrollment last fall and took effect January 1, 2008. I’m pleased to tell you that we’re eliminating this fee effective April 28th.

· If you successfully participated in the smoking cessation program, have quit and been reimbursed for all fees, then congratulations are in order. Quitting is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do.

· If you’re still being charged the fee, it will stop and Tribune will reimburse you 100 percent for the fees you have paid. This reimbursement will occur in late May.

Tribune will continue to offer the smoking cessation program free of charge to all employees and their covered dependents age 18 and older.

The spousal medical fee, implemented at the same time, will remain in place. We believe that if an employee’s spouse has access to coverage through his/her employer, that employer has the primary responsibility to bear the cost of coverage. Our obligation is to take care of our own employees, first and foremost.

If you have questions about the tobacco use fee, contact the Tribune Benefits Service Center at 800/872-2222.

Thanks.

Gerry

MediaFile » Blog Archive » Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em at Tribune | Blogs | Reuters.com

Sarah Nerd · 04-23-2008, 05:47 PM

I've watched smoking kill a few people. It's god awful, but it's peoples own business I guess.

Ayu Sura · 04-23-2008, 05:51 PM

I'm guessing the justification is that it costs them in healthcare costs in the long run. But then as my coworker asked, will they start charging you for not using the gym? For eating McDonalds?

Asher Bertrand · 04-23-2008, 06:01 PM

Compare and contrast:

Quote:

On Jan. 1, all of Weyco Inc.'s 200 employees will be nonsmokers - or lose their jobs.

On that day, the Okemos-based insurance benefits administrator will make it a fireable offense to smoke anywhere, anytime - including in the privacy of an employee's own home after business hours.

"You can do whatever you want, but if you're going to work here, you can't be a smoker, like you can't be a drug user," owner Howard Weyers said.

It's a move sure to spark controversy in a state where nearly 26 percent of all adults smoke.

Nonsmokers who support the policy say it will pare health care costs and improve employees' lives.

"I think it's great. The intent of the policy is to help employees become healthier," said Mari Damerow, a benefits manager for Weyco.

Smokers say it tramples their rights and invades their privacy.

"I think it's pretty stupid," said Cooley Law School student Cal Eustaquio, 42, as he puffed on a torpedo cigar at the Creole Cigar Factory in downtown Lansing. "If other companies go the same way, smokers will be marginalized to the point they go underground."

My company does the $150-a-month smoker surcharge. All that did was create a new class of liar. No one 'fessed up, I don't think, even though the same ones always take smoke breaks.

Stupid.

Let's charge the heterosexuals more per month because they might spawn. Let's make the old ones pay more because, well, they're old. Let's make the young ones pay more because they're reckless. Meh. Greed. Greed on the part of the insurance and medical industries. Companies are coping with the rising costs best they can - sometimes making dumb decisions as they do.

Richie Waves · 04-23-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayu Sura

I'm guessing the justification is that it costs them in healthcare costs in the long run. But then as my coworker asked, will they start charging you for not using the gym? For eating McDonalds?

A line in the sand, Smoking is never EVER going to go away.

Dnate Mars · 04-24-2008, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayu Sura

I'm guessing the justification is that it costs them in healthcare costs in the long run. But then as my coworker asked, will they start charging you for not using the gym? For eating McDonalds?

Um, I hate to tell you, but that is already in place. But it is based on BMI.

Brenda Archer · 04-24-2008, 02:32 AM

Just another reason we need universal health care and to shove the insurance companies out of their privileged position. I still think society as a whole would save more money in the long run making sure the people who are likely to get sick are covered. I'm all in favor of stop smoking programs - but they really need to be under medical supervision. Same with weight loss, etc.

Sarah Nerd · 04-24-2008, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brenda Archer

Just another reason we need universal health care and to shove the insurance companies out of their privileged position. I still think society as a whole would save more money in the long run making sure the people who are likely to get sick are covered. I'm all in favor of stop smoking programs - but they really need to be under medical supervision. Same with weight loss, etc.

Sarah Nerd · 04-24-2008, 02:58 AM

I'm not a fan of cigarettes, but I am a fan of food thats not good for me. If they start charging more for unhealthy behavior were all fucked. Whats next, higher rates if your sexually active with more than one person?

Brenda Archer · 04-24-2008, 03:05 AM

I'm just glad that I seem to have survived the uninsurable period following my cancer. But it sure would have been nice to have had care during that time, since my health is gradually collapsing without it.

Of course the whole time I've been working, too. But I suppose that if it became politically incorrect to deny care because of something like cancer, if they demonize overweight people enough, they could start denying care because of that - which makes no sense.

Or maybe dealing with the system has made me permanently afraid of it, not without cause I think. You're screwed if you're not insured and if you are good luck getting them to pay.

WarKirby Magojiro · 04-24-2008, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brenda Archer

I'm just glad that I seem to have survived the uninsurable period following my cancer. But it sure would have been nice to have had care during that time, since my health is gradually collapsing without it.

Of course the whole time I've been working, too. But I suppose that if it became politically incorrect to deny care because of something like cancer, if they demonize overweight people enough, they could start denying care because of that - which makes no sense.

Or maybe dealing with the system has made me permanently afraid of it, not without cause I think. You're screwed if you're not insured and if you are good luck getting them to pay.

It's reading things like this that make me happy to live in a welfare state, and not mind our atrocious fuel costs.

Brenda Archer · 04-26-2008, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarKirby Magojiro

It's reading things like this that make me happy to live in a welfare state, and not mind our atrocious fuel costs.

Thank you, that means a lot. I hope we will wake up soon.

.

Aodhan McDunnough · 04-26-2008, 03:50 AM

Smoking is a person's own choice. For as long as a non-smoker like myself does not have to deal with that smoke wafting into his face, I'm fine.

So I say keep enclosed spaces smoke-free, it's easy to take a smoke outside, clear your breath and lungs then come back in.

It has been found that there is no safe level of second-hand smoke. So smokers had better think about their friends, spouses, and most of all, their children who have to breathe the air they exhale.

04-23-2008, 05:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Richie Waves Deus ibi est I haz Pacman! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 5,323 SL Join Date: 27/06/2005 My Mood:	Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em at Tribune Tribune Co earned the scorn of its smoking employees when it decided to charge them $100 more than their non-smoking brethren for health insurance. That was before Sam Zell took over, however. Here’s the memo that went out to employees today. Since the closing of the going-private transaction last December, we’ve been reviewing policies and practices across the company, including Tribune’s healthcare benefits. While well-intentioned, we think the tobacco-use fee implemented by the previous management team is inconsistent with the new culture we’re developing-we’d rather you use your own judgment when it comes to tobacco use, not impose ours upon you. This policy was a part of open enrollment last fall and took effect January 1, 2008. I’m pleased to tell you that we’re eliminating this fee effective April 28th. · If you successfully participated in the smoking cessation program, have quit and been reimbursed for all fees, then congratulations are in order. Quitting is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. · If you’re still being charged the fee, it will stop and Tribune will reimburse you 100 percent for the fees you have paid. This reimbursement will occur in late May. Tribune will continue to offer the smoking cessation program free of charge to all employees and their covered dependents age 18 and older. The spousal medical fee, implemented at the same time, will remain in place. We believe that if an employee’s spouse has access to coverage through his/her employer, that employer has the primary responsibility to bear the cost of coverage. Our obligation is to take care of our own employees, first and foremost. If you have questions about the tobacco use fee, contact the Tribune Benefits Service Center at 800/872-2222. Thanks. Gerry MediaFile » Blog Archive » Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em at Tribune \| Blogs \| Reuters.com __________________ My lastfm It's not trouble until its wreaked something

04-23-2008, 05:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sarah Nerd I BUY LAND Can I play with your land? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Shermerville Posts: 7,071 Harpoon Lagoon Champion! SLShopper Ads: 1 My Mood: Awards: 2	I've watched smoking kill a few people. It's god awful, but it's peoples own business I guess. __________________ www.SarahNerd.com http://www.your2ndplace.com/sarahnerd

04-23-2008, 05:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ayu Sura nom nom nom is about to num on some cherries Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: under the sea Posts: 2,927 My Mood:	I'm guessing the justification is that it costs them in healthcare costs in the long run. But then as my coworker asked, will they start charging you for not using the gym? For eating McDonalds? __________________ "The hammer is my penis."

04-24-2008, 02:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
Brenda Archer Tired Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Portland Posts: 2,077 SL Join Date: 4/28/2005 My Mood:	Just another reason we need universal health care and to shove the insurance companies out of their privileged position. I still think society as a whole would save more money in the long run making sure the people who are likely to get sick are covered. I'm all in favor of stop smoking programs - but they really need to be under medical supervision. Same with weight loss, etc. __________________ Et ses mains ourdiraient les entrailles du prêtre, Au défaut d’un cordon pour étrangler les rois. - Denis Diderot

04-26-2008, 03:50 AM	#13 (permalink)
Aodhan McDunnough exp(ln(Gearhead)) ti gnivol dna ykeeG Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Philippines Posts: 3,636 Beer Tapper Gone Wild Champion! SL Join Date: March 28, 2006 Business: Aodhan's Forge SLShopper Ads: 2 My Mood:	Smoking is a person's own choice. For as long as a non-smoker like myself does not have to deal with that smoke wafting into his face, I'm fine. So I say keep enclosed spaces smoke-free, it's easy to take a smoke outside, clear your breath and lungs then come back in. It has been found that there is no safe level of second-hand smoke. So smokers had better think about their friends, spouses, and most of all, their children who have to breathe the air they exhale. __________________ We can't get rid of Landbots but we can stop the damage. VOTE this proposal on the Jira. Current votes: 71 http://jira.secondlife.com/browse/VWR-2905 Kontours Classic 1-prim chair. Sculpted, menu controlled http://www.sluniverse.com/php/shop/s...ct=786&cat=500

04-24-2008, 02:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
Sarah Nerd I BUY LAND Can I play with your land? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Shermerville Posts: 7,071 Harpoon Lagoon Champion! SLShopper Ads: 1 My Mood: Awards: 2	I'm not a fan of cigarettes, but I am a fan of food thats not good for me. If they start charging more for unhealthy behavior were all fucked. Whats next, higher rates if your sexually active with more than one person?

04-24-2008, 03:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
Brenda Archer Tired Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Portland Posts: 2,077 SL Join Date: 4/28/2005 My Mood:	I'm just glad that I seem to have survived the uninsurable period following my cancer. But it sure would have been nice to have had care during that time, since my health is gradually collapsing without it. Of course the whole time I've been working, too. But I suppose that if it became politically incorrect to deny care because of something like cancer, if they demonize overweight people enough, they could start denying care because of that - which makes no sense. Or maybe dealing with the system has made me permanently afraid of it, not without cause I think. You're screwed if you're not insured and if you are good luck getting them to pay.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode