Japanese Company Offered 6 Extra Paid Days to Non-Smokers

As businesses around the world continue to focus on promoting healthy work environments and lifestyles, some companies are taking it a step further by incentivizing their employees to make healthier choices. In 2017, Japanese marketing firm, Piala Inc., which recently announced that it would give six extra vacation days to non-smoking employees.

The decision was made after a survey conducted by the company showed that smokers took more frequent breaks than their non-smoking colleagues. To address this issue, Piala Inc. decided to reward employees who do not smoke with extra vacation days, as a way to promote a healthier work environment and encourage smokers to quit.

While this move has garnered praise from many quarters, it has also sparked a debate about whether it is fair to give extra vacation days to non-smoking employees. Some argue that it is unfair to penalize smokers in this way, while others believe that it is a smart move to incentivize healthy choices.

When asked to comment by Japan Times, CEO Takao Asuka said,

"I hope to encourage employees to quit smoking through incentives rather than penalties or coercion"

Should companies give extra paid days to non-smoking employees? What would you do if you were head of HR in this company at the time?

Here are some points to consider:

1. The benefits of a smoke-free workplace: Smoking not only harms the health of smokers, but it can also have negative effects on non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke. By promoting a smoke-free workplace, companies can create a healthier environment for all employees.
2. The cost: Smoking can also have a significant financial impact on companies. Smokers might take more frequent breaks, might be absent from work more often, and may be less productive overall. Where should you get your data to guide your decision-making for your company? By incentivizing non-smoking, companies can reduce the financial burden of smoking-related costs. You may also need to consider how, where, and when you will communicate this to your workforce.
3. The importance of employee health: By promoting healthy choices, companies can improve the overall health and well-being of their employees. This can lead to increased productivity, improved morale, and a more positive work environment.
4. Policy Fairness: Some argue that giving extra vacation days to non-smoking employees is unfair to smokers. It was mentioned that the policy was not meant to penalize smokers, but rather to incentivize healthy choices. Smokers are still free to take their regular vacation days.

In conclusion, while the decision to give extra vacation days to non-smoking employees may be controversial, it is only one way of a company taking proactive steps to promote a healthy work environment in a country where nearly 22% of the population and 35% of their workforce smoke. As businesses continue to focus on employee health and wellbeing, it is important to consider innovative ways to promote healthy choices and incentivize positive behaviors.

So, what do you think? Should your company consider implementing a similar policy? Or is the policy unfair to smokers?

What other ways can you promote employee well-being if you were the head of their HR department?