Wellness incentives
Is It Necessary to Incent Organizations to Initiate Worksite Wellness Programs?
Wellness incentives may seem like an effective way to get staff members excited about Worksite Wellness Program – but is it wise?
This helps and encourages companies to understand the importance of maintaining a healthy workforce, 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 incentives
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 health care for everyone. They decided to start with America’s workforce.
The legislation, introduced by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin and Oregon Senator Gordon Smith, states that businesses would receive a Wellness incentive – a fifty percent tax credit – if they provide to their staff members a Worksite Wellness Program that meets the following criteria:
1) A health education and awareness component, which could include Health risk assessments and Health Screening and Biometric Testings.
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 offering meaningful incentives to participating staff members, such as a reduction in medical premiums or allowing staff members to engage in walking Worksite Wellness Programs during the workday.
4) The creation of an worker engagement committee – which would tailor the Worksite Wellness Program to the needs of the workforce at a particular business.
If this legislation gets passed, many companies will be scrambling to provide Worksite Wellness Programs in hopes of receiving the Wellness incentives.