Newly released federal rules on health insurance costs may allow companies to penalize workers who have high health risks such as high blood pressure, obesity or cholesterol issues.  A sure-fire way to demoralize your workforce will be to institute these penalties without also instituting programs to help these at-risk employees improve their conditions.  What I mean by programs is offering weight loss groups, on-site mini-gyms, subsidized health club memberships (or subsidies if employees participate in community service work), etc.  While all companies are under pressure to control rising health care costs, do so as a partnership with your workforce, otherwise, you will lose employee support, lower employee morale, and subsequently reduce employee productivity.  You may save by reducing health care costs, but you will lose elsewhere.  Be cautious!