Whole Foods Offers Better Discounts for Slimmer, Healthier Employees

Whole Foods Market CEO John Mackey has announced to company employees that those meeting specific health-related criteria, including blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, and smoking status, will be eligible for an increased store discount. According to the announcement, the company spent more than $150 million in 2009 on employee health care, and the company is offering this “incentive” to lower its health care costs. Health screenings under the new program apparently began January 21, 2010, and discounts of up to 30 percent will be available to qualifying employees. The discount for those deciding not to participate in the program or those not qualifying is 20 percent.

Meanwhile, Mackey, who voluntarily cut his annual salary to $1 in 2007, reportedly donated the after-tax compensation he received in 2009 from a previous incentive bonus plan to the Global Animal Partnership, a nonprofit organization developing new standards for the treatment of farm animals. The donation was nearly $380,000. A Whole Foods spokesperson reportedly said that the company’s practices will be in keeping with the animal welfare group’s standards, expected to be released later in 2010. See Associated Press, January 25, 201o; Slashfood.com, January 26, 2010.