Posted by Corporate Wellness | Posted in Corporate Wellness Program | Posted on 31-10-2008
Is It Necessary to Incent Businesses to Initiate Corporate Wellness Programs?
Wellness incentives may seem like an effective way to get workers excited about Corporate Wellness Program – but is it wise?
This helps and encourages businesses to understand the importance of maintaining a healthy staff members, not only for the welfare of its workers, but as well as the welfare of the corporate bottom line … then, yes, it could be necessary.
Tax Breaks as Wellness incentives
In 2007, two senators decided to band together to create the “Healthy Workforce Act.” This act is designed to encourage businesses to keep workers healthy and prevent disease. The senators believed that having a country focused on “well care” versus “sick care” would decrease the overall costs of health care for everyone. They decided to start with America’s staff members.
The legislation, introduced by Oregon Senator Gordon Smith and Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, states that companies would receive a Wellness incentive – a fifty percent tax credit – if they provide to their workers a Corporate Wellness Program that meets the following criteria:
1) A health education and awareness component, which could include Health Risk Appraisals and Health Screening and Biometric Testings.
2) A behavioral change component – such as counseling, seminars, or self-help materials to empower workers to lead healthier lifestyles.
3) A supportive environment component – including providing meaningful incentives to participating workers, such as a reduction in health premiums or allowing workers to engage in walking Corporate Wellness Programs during the workday.
4) The creation of an worker engagement committee – which would tailor the Corporate Wellness Program to the needs of the staff members at a particular company.
If this legislation gets passed, many businesses will be scrambling to provide Corporate Wellness Programs in hopes of receiving the Wellness incentives.
