Background on WEYCO INC’s Tobacco-Free Policy

By Christian Last updated Sep 1, 2017

WEYCO News Release:

What:	WEYCO, Inc., established a policy promoting healthier lifestyles through its lifestyles Challenge Program about five years ago. The goal of this program is to encourage employees to become healthier, and to increase their ability to accomplish more both personally and professionally.
When:	The tobacco-free policy has been an ongoing program — and part of the Lifestyle Challenge Program at WEYCO, Inc. — since fall 2003. We have assisted our employees through a series of communication and support activities, including: employee meetings introducing the program; smoking-cessation classes, medication, and appointments with acupuncturists. The policy has been implemented in gradual stages to encourage staff members who use tobacco products to become healthier and remain WEYCO, Inc., employees.
Why:	WEYCO, Inc., is in business to help other companies improve employee health and save money through innovative benefit plans. The health plans we create offer hundreds of options—and our approach to tobacco use may not be for everybody—but it’s natural for us to take a leadership position on this issue. We encourage every employer to take a hard look at managing health costs related to smoking and other tobacco use. There is no longer any question about the devastating effects of tobacco use on our society, or why it must be eliminated. Tobacco is a major killer and drain on health-care resources. Michigan’s smoking-related health-care costs amount to $2.65 billion a year. Lost employee productivity due to smoking totals another $3.4 billion. Every Michigan household pays $557 in taxes for smoking-related illnesses annually. Each smoker costs his employer more than $4,000 a year in absenteeism, medical benefits, and earnings lost to sickness or premature death, etc. Smoking kills 4.9 million people worldwide each year. In Michigan, the smoking death toll is 16,000 a year—more than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined.
Who:	So far, our tobacco-free employee policy appears to be a resounding success. Of the 15 to 20 employees who used tobacco before the policy was announced, about a dozen have decided to stop using tobacco. Many have thanked us for initiating the program. Only three have opted-out of the program and decided to seek employment elsewhere.
How:	Any private Michigan business organization has the right to protect itself from the enormous financial damage that tobacco users inflict upon society by destroying their own health.At WEYCO, Inc., we are taking a leadership role in changing employee behavior to save lives, improve health, and reduce demand on the health-care system. WEYCO, Inc., encourages healthy lifestyles. We created and use walking trails on our campus, and have a full-time lifestyle coach to implement our wellness program. We sponsor voluntary on-site programs for employees to attend during the workday on topics such as eating disorders, healthy meal planning, safety, and others.
Contact:	Howard Weyers, President or Gary Climes, Chief Financial Officer WEYCO, Inc. 517-349-7010Joanne Eason, APR Stony Point Communications 517-347-9040/517-285-0489 (cell)