Employers are increasingly providing wellness programs for their employees, knowing that overweight employees cost them more in health care expenses, and probably also suffer from more “presenteeism.”

Now, the WSJ reports that some employers are “kicking it up a notch.”

But providing an in-house gym, weight-loss programs or smoking-cessation classes isn’t enough to get workers to convert to a healthier lifestyle; most people don’t use them, and health-care costs keep rising. So companies are bumping up the pressure and incentives for workers to participate — and the penalties if they don’t.

… employers are adding expenses — typically in the form of higher premiums — if workers don’t make the effort. And he says companies are actively asking “Are you participating in programs offered to you? Are you achieving the milestones expected?”

So, help yourself and your employer by taking advantage of wellness programs!