Firms Use Carrot, Stick to Encourage Healthy Habits

Companies are cracking down on the health of their employees. IBM recently said that starting next year it will pay employees $150 if they sign up their kids for a program to fight childhood obesity.

Clarian Health recently revised controversial plans to penalize workers for smoking, having high blood pressure, or body mass index over a certain limit.

The moves are part of a trend among a growing number of employers to monitor their workers' health. After all, it costs more to insure smokers and overweight people.

Liz Ryan, a columnist for Business Week, speaks with Steve Inskeep.