Employer Based Wellness Programs ? SIA Group Blog Home

Posted: September 6, 2012 | Author: siagroup | Filed under: Uncategorized |

?By: Brian Heckler, Sales Executive?

Corporate wellness programs are rapidly gaining popularity throughout the country.? A lot of questions surround this topic for both the employer and employee.??

Most employers have similar questions:?

• Why does my company need a wellness program?
• What are the benefits of these programs?
• How much will it cost?
• Will my employees even participate in the program?
• Bottom line, what do I get out of it?

Additionally, most employees have similar questions:?

• What are the benefits of this program?
• How much time do I have to invest?
• Is the program mandatory?
• How much does it cost?
• Bottom line, what do I get out of it?

Whether you are an employer or an employee, knowing the basics can help you understand wellness programs and how they can benefit you and your company. Below are several wellness program facts worth considering:

• Wellness is defined as: the quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as the result of deliberate effort or an approach to healthcare that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life, as opposed to emphasizing treating diseases.?
• Companies that install a wellness program save on medical premiums, or at least reduce the rate that costs will rise.? Employees see co-pay savings.?

????? In a national survey, 61% of companies list wellness programs in their top 3 tactics to cut healthcare costs.

• Both employers and employees benefit from a reduction in sick days used.

????? The average employee takes 8.5 sick days per year.

• Most wellness programs are now incentive based.? Incentives for participation can include raffle prizes, health club memberships, cash payouts, team competitions, incentive based days off work, etc.
• Wellness programs may include a variety of subjects, such as health and fitness, exercise prescription, yoga, meditation, massage, nutritional consulting, cooking lessons, smoking cessation, etc.? The possibilities are extensive.
• Wellness programs should start with a health risk questionnaire and a biometric screening to establish a base line for goal setting.

????? Many companies are bringing in an expert to test employees? BMIs, blood pressures, cholesterol levels, etc.

• Most companies start will small changes around the office that affect all employees, such as removing soda and snack machines, discontinuing morning doughnuts, not supplying cakes on birthdays, etc.
• Many companies are now charging a surcharge on health benefits to employees who use tobacco products, unless they participate in a wellness program.

?Take some time to research all the benefits of wellness programs and consider making one a part of your everyday life.? If you are ahead of the game and are already enrolled in one, try to make the most of it and really challenge yourself to take advantage of all your program has to offer!

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Source: http://siagroup.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/employer-based-wellness-programs/

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