Wellness Assessments

Is It Necessary to Incent Companies to Initiate Workplace Wellness Programs? 

Wellness rewards may seem like an effective way to get staff members excited about Workplace Wellness Program – but is it wise? 

This helps and encourages companies to understand the importance of maintaining a healthy employees, not only for the welfare of its staff members, but as well as the welfare of the corporate bottom line … then, yes, it could be necessary. 

Tax Breaks as Wellness rewards 

In 2007, two senators decided to band together to create the “Healthy Workforce Act.” This act is designed to encourage companies to keep staff members healthy and prevent disease. The senators believed that having a country focused on “well care” versus “sick care” would decrease the overall costs of medical care for everyone. They decided to start with America’s employees. 

The legislation, introduced by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin and Oregon Senator Gordon Smith, states that companies would receive a Wellness reward – a fifty percent tax credit – if they provide to their staff members a Workplace Wellness Program that meets the following criteria: 

      1) A health education and awareness component, which could include Health risk assessments and Health Screenings.

      2) A behavioral change component – such as counseling, seminars, or self-help materials to empower staff members to lead healthier lifestyles.

      3) A supportive environment component – including providing meaningful rewards to participating staff members, such as a reduction in medical premiums or allowing staff members to engage in walking Workplace Wellness Programs during the workday.

      4) The creation of an staff member engagement committee – which would tailor the Workplace Wellness Program to the needs of the employees at a particular organization. 

If this legislation gets passed, many companies will be scrambling to provide Workplace Wellness Programs in hopes of receiving the Wellness rewards.