Tip of the Day: Mandating health risk assessments is an ADA no-no

Some employers have taken the bold step in recent years to mandate employees to participate in health risk assessments to obtain group health insurance. However, a new informal letter from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says that such a requirement is one bold step forward but two legal steps back, writing that the mandate is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In part, the letter reads: "Although the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has not taken a formal position on this issue, this office believes the policy you described would violate provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act that require disability-related questions or medical examinations of employees to be job-related and consistent with business necessity."

I understand the EEOC's position, but in this economy, if every dollar in health savings isn't "business necessity," I don't know what is. What do you think, pros? Comment and let me know.

Click here to read the full text of the EEOC's letter.