CVS Ordering Workers To Reveal Weight, Health Info
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) -- Pharmacy giant CVS has told workers in the Bay Area and around the nation to reveal their weight and other health information, or pay extra for health coverage.
The company announced Wednesday what it called "A Plan for Health," that features a mix of rewards and penalties for employees.
Among the measures, employees must report their weight, body fat, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Workers must also be tobacco free or enroll in an addiction program by next year.
Employees who refuse will have to pay $50 more for health coverage each month, totaling $600 a year.
In a video released by CVS, a top executive said the plan is progressive and cutting edge. "These changes aren't just about costs, they're about us, each of us taking personal accountability for our own health," said Lisa Bissacia, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer.
"(CVS Executives) better get some pretty good legal counsel and decide whether your policy is really legal, because the policy as announced is not legal," said Richard Schramm, a Bay Area employment lawyer.
Schramm told KPIX 5 the company is trying to tell employees what they can and can't do on their off time.
"If we granted that right to employers, employers could tell employees who to date, who to see, what kinds of foods to eat, what to drink, all kinds of behavior off site could be controlled. And that's absolutely not the law in California," he said.
KPIX 5 tried talking to employees at a CVS location, but they refused to comment on the plan.
Company officials said personal information is given to WebMD, and that CVS will not have access to employee's personal health information.
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