Posted by Worksite Wellness | Posted in worksite wellness programs | Posted on 06-12-2008
Is It Necessary to Incent Businesses to Initiate Worksite Wellness Programs?
Wellness incentives may seem like an effective way to get employees excited about Worksite Wellness Program – but is it smart?
This helps and encourages organizations to understand the importance of maintaining a healthy staff members, not only for the welfare of its employees, 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 organizations to keep employees 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 staff members.
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 offer to their employees a Worksite 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 employees to lead healthier lifestyles.
3) A supportive environment component – including offering meaningful incentives to taking part in employees, such as a reduction in health premiums or allowing employees 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 staff members at a particular business.
If this law gets passed, many organizations will be scrambling to offer Worksite Wellness Programs in hopes of receiving the Wellness incentives.