+ Corporate Wellness Programs on the Rise

In addition to the Corporate Wellness post by Michael, I recently found out that The Cleveland Clinic has not offered employment to smokers since September 1st. Other large companies are following suit. Will this be a new trend in employment screening? While legal, is this policy against an American's right to smoke? Will this policy lead to hiring decisions based on other personal choices like what you eat or drink? I am on the fence about not hiring smokers. I agree companies should be allowed to prohibit smoking at the work place but I am not sure about punishing a person for what they do during non-work hours. I understand that with the rise of health costs, companies are going to do everything they can to keep those costs down. Perhaps rewarding those that don't smoke would be a better alternative than not hiring smokers at all. Below are a few articles on the subject. You decide!

Micah Berman: Hiring only nonsmokers is legal and beneficial

The Trend on Hiring Non-Smokers

Cleveland Clinic's New Nonsmoking Hiring policy Rolls Out July 1