For this writing task you will need to respond to the following scenario:
As part of the management team at Bank of Westfield, you want to help your employees improve their health and reduce their health costs at the same time. Because the Bank of Westfield is a small company, it is at greater risk from rising health costs than are larger firms. Individuals with health problems have always paid more for health insurance. However, federal law requires that all employees covered by employer insurance programs must pay the same premium. That means that those with poor health cannot be charged more for insurance than those with good health. Recent legislation, however, has allowed some exceptions if employers offer wellness programs.
Working with its insurance carrier, the Bank of Westfield developed a plan that would enable employees to reduce their deductible $500 for each health benchmark the employee reached. For example, a nonsmoker receives a $500 deduction in the overall deductible of $2,500. Other benchmark categories are cholesterol, body mass index, and blood pressure. If the Bank of Westfield can persuade employees to meet benchmarks in these areas, employees can reduce their deductible by $500 for each benchmark. This should help quiet the grumbling that resulted last year when the insurance deductible jumped from $500 to $2,500.
All of the benchmarks are explained in a brochure provided by the insurance carrier. To get employees started, the Bank of Westfield wants them to fill out an application (before January 15) to see a fitness counselor who will develop a customized fitness plan for each employee who signs up. The company will provide literature, fitness programs, and counseling to help employees meet their benchmarks.
Your Task. For the signature of Melissa Mendoza, Vice President, Human Resources, prepare a persuasive action request memo addressed to all employees. Mention both direct and indirect benefits. Anticipate obstacles and answers to them. Close with an action request. Tell exactly what you want the receiver to do, and provide an extension number for anyone who has questions.
Develop a response that includes examples and evidence to support your ideas, and which clearly communicates the required message to your audience. Organize your response in a clear and logical manner as appropriate for the genre of writing. Use well-structured sentences, audience-appropriate language, and correct conventions of standard American English.
Grading will be based on the same criteria used on all writing assignments:
Focus & Meaning Very effective focus and meaning. Establishes and maintains an insightful controlling idea or bottom line; demonstrates a thorough understanding of the purpose; clearly adapts the message to the audience; completes all parts of the task.
Content & Development Very effective content & development. Develops ideas fully and memorably, using appropriate business concepts and terms.
Organization Very effective organization. Demonstrates a cohesive and unified structure with effective use of paragraphing or grouping of information, logical connections and transitional devices throughout.
Language Use & Style Very effective language use & style. Demonstrates precise, professional language and word choice, a defined voice, and a clear sense of audience; uses well-structured and varied sentences.
Mechanics & Conventions Very effective control of conventions & mechanics. Few or no errors in grammar, mechanics, punctuation and spelling.