Mazda - Saving the Environment

This is a good idea that loses some of its appeal with the "let's reduce auto emissions" bluster. Still, any low-cost attempt to improve worker health is good in the long run - not just for the individuals who benefit, for the society that collectively foots the health care bill.

It's a great idea for employee health, that's why I get so frustrated. They have 22,000 employees. If they offered $100 a month, they'd have to pay about 22 million extra a year to employees, which sounds expensive. Still, in all likelyhood, not all employees would participate, and in addition, this represents only 7% of Mazda's net income of 320.9 million. Plus there would be savings for the company in terms of increased productivity, lower healthcare premiums, etc. The problem here is, offering $15 dollars a month is like offering nothing at all, what's the point?

Maybe I'm just a pessimist. I predict that, unfortunately, somebody walking to work will get hit by a car (or something) and a suit will be filed against Mazda because "they enticed me to walk."

A couple of notes regarding the article: 1) It indicates that it only applies to their employees in Japan. So the likelihood of a lawsuit is incredibly diminished. 2) Regarding the $12 per month. Granted it is a nominal amount. I suspect there is a certain argument for that being in addition to whatever money the employee is saving in gasoline and wear on their car. Particularly in Japan where cars are forced to be replaced after a certain mileage (something like 100k km) those "fringe" adders could be significant. 3) Regarding the idea of productivity impact - my guess is that it makes productivity worse. Why? I don't think people like walking home in the dark. Currently, many companies have "effective" productivity gains by uncharged overtime by exempt staff - meaning work per $ payed. Japan is no different in this. If people work fewer hours to provide themselves with a safe time to walk home, then net less work is likely to get done per Yen paid. 4) Given Japan's health care system, I'm not even entirely sure that Mazda gets a significant benefit regarding reduction in health care costs with the potential improvement in health of its employees. Besides, it is probably a wash regarding catching a cold from walking in the winter than a spreading butt from lack of exercise. An interesting approach. Not something that would work im many American cities where the average commute is something like 15 miles.