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Smoking: It's not glamorous for business

Data suggests that smokers use health services significantly more than nonsmokers, and they cost companies some $1,600 a year in direct medical costs. But it's the costs that aren't tracked that can be even more damaging.

"It takes about seven minutes to smoke a cigarette, plus the time to walk back and forth to the parking lot or other smoking area. With smokers reporting they have one cigarette an hour on an average workday, it adds up to a staggering amount of lost productivity," says Darcy Hurlbert, Ceridian product specialist.

On the brighter side, statistics from the Centers for Disease Control report that more than 70 percent of smokers say they want to quit.

Ceridian offers its customers and their employees an effective tobacco cessation program -- one that demonstrates quit rates nearly twice the national average. And the program has a proven ROI of $2 to every $1 dollar spent after two years and $15 to $1 after 10 years.

Hurlbert attributes the success of the award-winning Ceridian/Leade Health Tobacco Cessation program to its use of true health coaches, nicotine replacement therapy and coaching tailored to the unique needs of each individual.

True health coaching makes the difference
"Health coaching is a big buzz phrase in the industry right now, but our approach is very different than many other programs out there," Hulbert says. "This program is the only one where participants work with the same coach through the entire process, building one-on-one trust and rapport. Other programs use a hotline approach where participants get different representatives with each call and discuss sensitive topics with a different person every time."

Ceridian's unique coaching philosophy also encompasses hiring and retaining better, more experienced coaches. "Our coaches have an average of 12 years experience and more than 75 percent have a master's degree in disciplines such as public health, exercise physiology or nursing," Hurlbert explains. "They also tend to be naturally caring, empathetic individuals who are incredibly effective at empowering people without being judgmental."

Proof of the effectiveness of our coaching approach is in the numbers. After the 12-month program, 27 percent of participants are tobacco free, compared with a nationwide average of 17 percent in other programs. Further, more than 85 percent of participants rate coach satisfaction as very good or higher and often praise the coach in written comments. The coaches are backed by the program's nationally recognized scientific advisory board and are continually advised by a team of medical and behavioral experts.

Participation maximized, privacy assured
"This is an effective program that can help employees reach their goals and reclaim or maintain good health, as well as lead to significant increases in productivity for their employers," says Hulbert.

Employees interested in quitting smoking call a confidential toll-free number to initiate the process. Then, an intake specialist describes the program, captures demographic information and assigns the participant to a health coach. Within 48 hours, a health coach calls the employee to discuss their smoking habits and prior quitting experiences. They also assess the extent of the addiction, identify the confidence and motivation levels, and establish a quit plan that meets the employee's needs. A program guide and other helpful materials are sent to the employee and a call schedule is established. The coach and participant work together for 12 months.

"No one at work has to know a participant is in the program if they don't want them to, which really helps a lot of people finally make the move to quit, " explains Hulbert, who was once a health coach herself. "The coach doesn't tell the participant what to do. They guide and support them and help create a plan that will work. It's amazing to see how once a participant stops worrying about being discovered or being judged, they really open up and can truly concentrate on changing their behavior."

Ceridian/Leade Health Tobacco Cessation is part of a new suite of Health Management Programs that can help employees get healthy and perform better at work. Our other programs are Stress Management and Weight Management which also feature personal health coaches. These effective programs can be implemented in any combination and readily integrated into existing work-life and employee assistance programs. Contact your Ceridian representative to learn more.