Is It Necessary to Incentivize Corporations to Initiate Wellness Programs?

Corporate incentives may seem like an effective way to get employees excited about employee wellness - but is it wise?

Our opinion at Employee Wellness USA is that if it helps and encourages employers to understand the importance of maintaining a healthy workforce, 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 an Incentive for Corporations to Offer Wellness Programs

In 2007, two senators decided to band together to create the “Healthy Workforce Act.” This act is designed to encourage businesses 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 healthcare for everyone. They decided to start with the America’s workforce.

The legislation, introduced by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin and Oregon Senator Gordon Smith, states that companies would receive a corporate incentive - a fifty percent tax credit - if they offer to their employees a wellness program that meets the following criteria:

1) A health awareness and education 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 participating employees, such as a reduction in health premiums or allowing employees to engage in walking wellness during the workday.

4) The creation of an employee engagement committee – which would tailor the wellness program to the needs of the workforce at a particular company.

If this legislation gets passed, many organizations will be scrambling to offer employee wellness programs in hopes of receiving the corporate incentive. Why not get ahead of your competition and start now? Contact our workplace wellness experts to get your corporation on the road to becoming healthy. We offer free consultations and are happy to answer any questions you have regarding our wellness services. At EmployeeWellnessUSA, we believe that encouraging your employees to be physically active, eat better and learn how to prevent disease benefits everyone.

Maintaining employee wellness during cold and flu season can be a challenge for any company. The average adult can get up to four colds in one year, and hundreds of thousands are hospitalized every year for flu complications. From December to March, there are more employees out of the office due to illness, and others who barely made it to the office and can hardly think over their constant coughing and sneezing.

Prevention is the Key to Employee Wellness

Prevention is the key to maintaining good health in the workplace and increasing overall employee wellness. Fighting infection after the cold and flu epidemics hit is a losing battle and can best be combated with early action, such as implementing a corporate wellness program in the office for good health year-round.

Keeping the Office Germ-free During Cold and Flu Season

The typical office is the perfect breeding grounds for influenza or the cold virus. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases says that there are higher chances for the spread of infection during winter because people spend more time indoors. In an office, this risk is increased by cubicles, bringing many people into a close space. On-site health screenings conducted regularly as part of an overall health management program will increase the chances of employee wellness year round, and especially during cold and flu season.

Education Can Increase Employee Wellness During Cold and Flu Season

Educating employees about various ways to stay healthy during cold and flu season may help prevent the spread of any sickness to the entire office. Hand washing is a crucial component in maximizing employee wellness, as bacteria collects on keyboards, mouses, around the water cooler and next to the community coffee pot. As employees shake hands, infection may be passed, multiplying the chance of getting a cold or coming down with the flu. Hand washing and anti-bacterial cleaners for surfaces can help reduce the spread of sickness.

Employee wellness is possible during cold and flu season. With Employee Wellness USA, your office can reach one step closer to immunity from sickness during cold and flu season.

As we move into 2008, we would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy new year. Be sure to take good care of yourself and your employees this year. Look into starting a corporate wellness program, and think about providing wellness testing to your employees. Show them how much you care about their health. If your workforce is happy and healthy in 2008, your company is likely to be as well.