If an employer is not equally committed to not just encouraging their employees but making the effort to ease the burden on employees to participate in mandated programs. it makes it challenging for any employee who is already working 10 or more hours a day, has obligations and commitments to family and community resources outside of the workplace to force a tracking system.

It actually adds to stress in the workplace, as is my opinion. Since, it is not like those that want to be healthier are not doing activities to achieve such personal goals, especially when this is a program targeted to those who may not make life changes.

Those who are uninterested in addition to not being allowed the time, simply wont change the bottom line for your cost of healthcare. My 2 cents.

From a business perspective, I think the key to a credible (and successful) wellness program is the ability to link the program to real business needs. The WSJ had an article earlier this month (http://bit.ly/Ett2o) that discussed a company that has – so far – been quite successful with implementing a very aggressive wellness program, including mandating all employees to get a physical in order to be eligible to receive health insurance. The article describes very clear business reasons for the company’s policy. As you describe well in your blog, there is really no such connection that would make an aggressive anti-tobacco campaign for soldiers in the field make a lot of sense.