Giving Arkansas State Workers An Incentive To Stay Healthy: More Vacation Days

Giving Arkansas State Workers An Incentive To Stay Healthy: More Vacation Days in Individual Health Insurance

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe announced he will expand a program designed to keep state employees healthier. The Arkansas Healthy Lifestyle program allows state workers to earn days off by quitting smoking, eating right, and exercising.

The Healthy Lifestyle program, started in 2004 by former Governor Mike Huckabee, lets workers get up to three days off a year. All they have to do is prove they are increasing physical activity, eating more fruits and vegetables, and cutting down or quitting smoking, reported RedOrbit.

Over 2,500 state employees have enrolled in the program so far. And it’s a good bet that more workers will participate, especially because of the reward.

Staying healthier and getting more days off work seems like a great plan.

State health care officials hope other businesses around the state will begin to offer similar programs for their employees.

“This is actually the state being the leader for employer groups to say let’s put our money where our mouth is. Let’s put some incentives behind this [program] so people can stay healthy,” said Arkansas Surgeon General Joe Thompson.

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