Baltic Media is the first company in Latvia increased the salaries of their non-smoking personnel
The Board of Baltic Media Ltd. has decided to increase the salaries of their non-smoking personnel by 20 Lats a month. The purpose of this is to promote a healthy lifestyle and a better working culture.
„With this move we are replacing ineffective staff health insurance taken out with private insurance companies which until now has been paid by out the company and rarely used by the staff. This insurance did not promote a healthy lifestyle either”.
„In addition, paying health insurance for smokers who are knowingly damaging their health seems hypocritical to us. The company acknowledges that non-smokers also work more effectively as they do not need to take cigarette breaks and thus are more accessible to Clients in the office. Thereby we ensure a better service and as a result those benefiting will be the Clients and the company itself, as well as the health of the staff” says Managing Director of Baltic Media Ltd., Guntar Veinberg Ph.D.
When information about the increase in salary was circulated within the company, some members of staff were encouraged to quit this unhealthy habit straightaway. One of these is Project Manager of Language Courses, Aigars Apsans, who emphasises that thanks to this Baltic Media Ltd. campaign staff who stop smoking in theory obtain a twofold salary increase because the monthly cost of cigarettes is also around 20 Lats.
Project Manager Mihail Basmanov admits that this is the first time in his life that he has received a higher salary for not doing something.
When asking the National Agency for Health Promotion (NAHP) about similar experiences in Latvian companies, the Chief Specialist of the Strategic Department, Janis Caunitis responded to Baltic Media Ltd. as follows: „We do not have any information about companies in Latviawho have introduced salary increases for non-smoking staff. You could well be the first to use this kind of motivation towards a healthier lifestyle in Latvia.
We regard this move highly as we feel that it could deter staff from starting to smoke and help those that smoke to decide to quit. This is especially important to us in Latvia where specialist help and medication for tobacco-dependents incurs a fee. The amount you are proposing – 20 Lats, is approximately the same as it costs per month for medication during a treatment programme”.
„The Board of Baltic Media Ltd. feels that it is shameful that Latviais among those European Union countries to have the highest number of smokers, the worst general health and the shortest average life span. On commencing work in Latviawe observed the vast spread of this smoking epidemic and were shocked by it. Every company should do something to try and stop this trend”.
We are a company offering modern technology and highly qualified services, working globally and whose image is connected with concepts such as quality service, accessibility, concerns about staff competence, education and health. Therefore we could not be seen to do otherwise” emphasises Guntar Veinberg.
Baltic Media Ltd. is an international translation, language and communication training company which has worked in the Latvian market since 1994 and is to date the only company in the language industry in Latviawith an ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management certificate.
The strategic aim of Baltic Media Ltd. is reflected in the company’s slogan The right message in the right language which the company puts into practice by providing high quality translations and other services connected to linguistic communications to companies, individuals, national and other institutions. The mother company of Baltic Media was founded in Sweden.
2006.03.06.
Opinions on the Baltic Media campaign
Good day!
We are pleased about your company’s campaign – to encourage non-smoking staff by offering a salary increase.
It would be useful if we could promote such campaigns together.
Perhaps you could send the information about your campaign to us so we can put it on our website.
Respectfully yours –
Deputy Director Aija Pelne
National Addiction Agency
Hospitalu iela 55, Riga LV-1013
Regn. No. 90001703226
Good day, Mr Veinberg!
Thank you for the information about your interesting and, in our opinion, very important campaign.
„We do not have any information about companies in Latviawho have implemented salary increases for non-smoking staff. You could well be the first to use this kind of motivation towards a healthier lifestyle in Latvia”.
„We regard this move highly as we feel that it could deter staff from starting to smoke and help those that smoke to decide to quit. This is especially important to us in Latviawhere specialist help and medication for tobacco-dependents incurs a fee. The amount you are proposing – 20 Lats, is approximately the same as it costs per month for medication during a treatment programme”.
Wishing you all the best,
Dr Janis Caunitis
Chief Specialist, Strategic Department
7686420
From: Oleg Sudarev
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 10:38 PM
Subject: Good for you
Dear Sirs,
Today on your web site I saw an article about increasing salaries for non-smoking employees.
That is great ;)
I don’t know who is to be praised for it – apparently, management has made an effort. Anyway, something like this I see for the first time. Very nice.
Oleg
© Baltic Media Ltd