Wellness rewards

Is It Necessary to Incent Corporations to Initiate Company Wellness Programs?

Wellness rewards may seem like an effective way to get employees excited about Company Wellness Program - but is it smart?

This helps and encourages businesses 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 Wellness rewards

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 America’s workforce.

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 employees a Company Wellness Program that meets the following criteria:

1) A health education and awareness component, which could include Health risk assessments and Health Testings.
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 providing meaningful rewards to taking part in employees, such as a reduction in health premiums or allowing employees to engage in walking Company Wellness Programs during the workday.
4) The creation of an worker engagement committee – which would tailor the Company Wellness Program to the needs of the workforce at a particular corporation.

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