Posts from — November 2008

Is It Necessary to Incent Organizations to Initiate Corporate Wellness Programs?

Wellness rewards may seem like an effective way to get workers excited about Worksite Wellness Program - but is it wise?

This helps and encourages corporations to understand the importance of maintaining a healthy staff members, not only for the welfare of its workers, but as well as the welfare of the company 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 corporations to keep workers 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 staff members.

The legislation, introduced by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin and Oregon Senator Gordon Smith, notes that businesses would receive a Wellness reward - a fifty percent tax credit - if they provide to their workers a Worksite Wellness Program that meets the following criteria:

1) A health awareness and education component, which could include Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) and Health Testings.
2) A behavioral change component – such as counseling, seminars, or self-help materials to empower workers to lead healthier lifestyles.
3) A supportive environment component – including providing meaningful rewards to participating workers, such as a reduction in health premiums or allowing workers to engage in walking Corporate 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 corporation.

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

Workplace Obesity: The Facts

Workplace obesity has become one of the fastest growing healthcare problems in America. It is well known that America is considered one of the, if not “the”, fattest countries in the world. This is largely in part due to fast food, un-healthy snacks and a very sedentary lifestyle. However, what many people are not aware of is that the rate of obesity in our country has doubled in the last 30 years and this weighs heavily on a corporation’s bottom line.

According to a new report from The Conference Board, Weights and Measures: What companys Should Know about Obesity, obese workers cost private corporations an estimated $45 billion annually. Here are some of the report’s findings:

Obesity is associated with a 36% increase in spending on healthcare, more than smoking or problem drinking.
34% of adult United States citizens fit the definition of “obese”
Obesity related health problems are costing U.S. businesses millions of dollars annually in medical expenditures and work loss.

Workplace Obesity: How corporations Can Help

With the increase in obesity and company costs associated with it, it is more and more imperative to develop a way to assist workers with their healthy living choices. Corporate Wellness Programs can help corporations help their workers. By providing assistance with Health Testing, Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) and by conducting Worksite Wellness Program surveys; Corporate Wellness Programs allow the company non-invasive ways to communicate their concerns about their worker’s health.

We suggest establishing a Walking Worksite Wellness Program to assist your workers in meeting their weight-loss goals. Walking Wellness is a program designed to get your workers away from their desk and get them outside for a little exercise. Keep it fun by having contests, setting up weight-loss teams and having organized healthy picnics.

What is a Worksite Wellness Program Proposal?

You probably have seen the term many times and wondered what exactly does it mean. A Worksite Wellness Program Proposal is a proposal put together by a wellness consultant that makes suggestions for what type of Corporate Wellness Programs you should choose, what tools you will need to accomplish your corporation’s wellness goals, and costs associated with it.

Worksite Wellness Program Proposals Assist Human Resource Departments

A Worksite Wellness Program Proposal is a great thing to have in hand when HR Departments go to upper management to request funding for a Corporate Wellness Program. It will provide necessary stats and trends, background information, and costs that will enable the HR Department to fully present their case. Upper management will appreciate the preparedness and the research that has gone into your wellness request.

Worksite Wellness Program Proposals Lead to Better Corporate Wellness Programs

A well thought out Worksite Wellness Program Proposal can lead to a better Corporate Wellness Program, because the building blocks will already be in place. Worksite Wellness Program Proposals will guarantee that your corporation gets the proper Worksite Wellness Program established. Corporate Wellness Programs can vary greatly, but when your workers ask, you can tell them that they generally include the following:

Walking programs which provides workers with rewards to take their walking breaks at their workplace.
Company teams, worksite yoga classes and massage therapists at the workplace.
Nutrition advice, weight-loss and healthy cooking classes, stress management sessions, and either a Worksite Wellness Program resources column in the worker newsletter or a wellness newsletter.
Stairwell initiatives to show how stair-walking can enhance health.

Wellness Challenges Are Popping Up Everywhere

Wellness Challenges are definitely hot right now and they are encouraging more and more people to get healthy and live better. Whether it is a city or a school or a social group or even a whole state, competitive spirits are being ignited by the challenge to be the healthiest team. The Wellness Challenges are usually about a six months to a year in length and they are made up of several teams, these teams all get points for physical activity, selecting healthy foods, and just making better life and health choices overall.

The best part about Wellness Challenges is even though there really is only way “real” winner; everyone that participates in the challenge is a life winner.

Wellness Challenges provides reward to Get Healthy

Establishing a Wellness Challenges in your office is a great way to get workers to participate in your established Corporate Wellness Program. Have workers form teams and receive points for everything from attending a company Wellness Fair to getting a health risk assessment to beginning an exercise regimen. At the end of the year, the teams will win prizes based on the number of points they have accumulated.

Wellness Challenges Improve Corporate Health

Not only will Wellness Challenges enhance the health of your workers, it will enhance the overall health of the corporation by providing benefits such as fewer injuries, worker’s comp claims, decreased healthcare costs, better worker attendance, and better company morale.

Like we said earlier, everyone is a winner in a Wellness Challenges!

The 61st annual World Health Assembly is taking place this week in Geneva, Switzerland and at this assembly; the World Health Organization (WHO) is presenting its report titled “Preventing Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) in the Workplace through Diet and Physical Activity.”

The report calls for Corporate Wellness Programs to be promoted and implemented worldwide.

Importance of Corporate Wellness Programs

The report notes that Non-Communicable Disease related deaths have surpassed transferable disease related deaths and have become the leading global killers. Examples of Non-Communicable Disease’s are heart disease, diabetes and stroke. In 2005, 60% of worldwide projected deaths were caused by non-communicable diseases. They are predicting that this health trend will continue through at least 2030.

Diet, caloric intake, lack of physical activity and tobacco use are the major risk factors in the cause of Non-Communicable Disease’s. Now more than ever, the understanding of the importance of health and wellness is crucial.

Corporate Wellness Programs are Effective Tools

The report notes that Corporate Wellness Programs are found to be effective in improving health-related risk factors, such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. The report also notes that Corporate Wellness Programs will enhance the health of workers, enhance the company image, enhance worker morale, reduce worker absences and sick leave, increase worker productivity, and reduce company healthcare expenses.

Corporate Wellness Programs Monitoring

Finally, the report mentions that to have a successful Corporate Wellness Program, monitoring and evaluation through Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) and health outcomes are essential and should be included in the Worksite Wellness Program implementation. The evaluations ensure that the Worksite Wellness Program developed meets the proper needs of the workers. Staff Members should be reevaluated on an on-going basis to make sure the Worksite Wellness Program is still working, or to see if there are any adjustments that need to be made.

Worksite Wellness Program ROI: Fact or Fiction?

Corporate Wellness Programs … do they provide a strong return on investment? This is a question that we are sure goes through ever corporation’s mind. HR Magazine addresses the Worksite Wellness Program ROI topic in their June 2008 issue.

Worksite Wellness Program ROI: The Bottom Line

According to the article, titled “Finding Wellness’ Return on Investment,” determining Worksite Wellness Program ROI is not an easy thing to do for businesses because it involves a lot of different variables and time.

However, the corporations that have taken the time to determine the Worksite Wellness Program ROI of their Corporate Wellness Programs have found that it is quite significant. Not to mention, the Wellness program’s effect on the improvement of worker health and the slowing of the rate of their worker healthcare expenses.

Worksite Wellness Program ROI Alliance

Worksite Wellness Program ROI is such an important aspect of today’s company culture, that several large corporations have come together to form the Alliance for Wellness ROI, Inc. According to the HR Magazine article, The Alliance for Wellness ROI was specifically created to address the lack of consistency in proving the value of Corporate Wellness Programs.

The alliance, formed by Henry Ford Health Systems, BMW of North America, Kraft Foods Global, Schlumberger Limited and MasterCare Worldwide, strongly believes in showing the value of Corporate Wellness Programs and want to develop a standard for how Corporate Wellness Programs are measured.

Corporate Wellness Programs Components

According the alliance, the following components should make up an company-provided worker Corporate Wellness Program:

• Employee assistance Programs (EAPs)
• Disease Management Programs (DM)
• Fitness and exercise Programs
• Health Risk Assessments (HRAs)
• Workplace healthcare Programs
• Personal wellness profiles
• Preventive Health Testings and immunizations
• Smoking-cessation Programs
• Telephonic Corporate Wellness Programs
• Weight loss and weight management Programs
• Self-Care Programs.

Wellness During the Summer

Wellness is important all year long; however if your workers haven’t gotten on the Wellness bandwagon, then now is the perfect time to get them there.

Summer is an ideal time of year to get back into shape and enhance overall Wellness.  The weather is beautiful, workers can get outside and they are motivated by the thought of having to wear clothes with less coverage.  Fitness, or lack of fitness, is apparent in the summer.

Wellness in the Summer has Advantages

There are many advantages to beginning a Worksite Wellness Program in the Summer.  Employees are more likely to get outside and walk or participate in group activities during the summer than they are in the cooler months of the fall and winter.  The summer months are also a great time to begin a Wellness challenge with your workers and celebrate the completion of the challenge with a member picnic or cookout.  Finally, it always seems easier to eat healthy during the summer with all the fresh vegetables and fruits that are available during this time.

Worksite Wellness Program Kick-off

We recommend following these steps when starting a Worksite Wellness Program in your office.

Pick a wellness coordinator for the Worksite Wellness Program who is willing and able to see it through.
Make sure that you have the support of company leadership.
Start a Wellness committee
Make use of a Worksite Wellness Program survey to uncover the obstacles and goals of your Worksite Wellness Program
Provide Health Risk Assessments (HRAs)
Analyze the Worksite Wellness Program and changes as needed
Do not forget to stress that the Worksite Wellness Program is for the employees.  Corporate Wellness Programs have been found to prevent obesity, cancer, heart disease and hypertension.  Taking part in in a Worksite Wellness Program that provides all that should be an easy decision for the corporation and for the workers.

Corporate Wellness Programs and Health Care Costs

Corporate Wellness Programs are more important now than ever.  A recent article in the Wall Street Journal, with the troubles in the economy it seems that the costs of company provided healthcare keep continuing to grow and it doesn’t seem like it is going to change.  The article notes that during the year 2008, U.S. corporations can expect to see an increase of 10% in healthcare costs.

This increase in healthcare costs is causing some small corporations to reduce their worker health benefits or get rid of them altogether.

Corporate Wellness Programs for Healthier Lifestyles

Corporate Wellness Programs do provide an option for small corporations.  The corporations can provide discounted co-pays and deductibles to those workers that fully participate in the provided Corporate Wellness Program.  Full participation means getting health screens, receiving a health risk assessment, and then working with their wellness coordinator to work towards a healthier lifestyle.

The healthier the workers, the lower the overall healthcare costs for the corporation.  Just one lengthy hospital stay can almost deplete a small business’ healthcare budget.

Corporate Wellness Programs and Your Bottom Line

Corporate Wellness Programs provide many advantages to a corporation’s bottom-line. Worksite Wellness Program Statistics from Prudential Insurance show a benefit expense of $312 per person enrolled in a Worksite Wellness Program compared to an expense of $574 per worker that wasn’t enrolled.  Coors Brewing Company showed a positive side-effect of member absenteeism dropping by 18%, thus greater production and less healthcare costs overall.

Corporate Wellness Programs are an excellent investment, at least according to Lincoln industries in Nebraska.  CNN reported on this 565 employee corporation their committed investment in their worker’s wellness.

Corporate Wellness Programs are part of corporation Culture

The Corporate Wellness Programs, according the story, has been in place for 16 years at Lincoln, and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.  The corporation has three full-time workers dedicated to the Worksite Wellness Program and the wellness of the workers, who receive on-site massages and a round of instructor-led stretching before they start their shifts.

Corporate Wellness Programs Assessed

According to CNN, one of the stipulations of the Corporate Wellness Program, which workers are not mandated to participate in, is that they receive quarterly checkups where assessments are completed on their weight, amount of body fat and flexibility.  Based on these health assessments, the workers are then ranked from platinum all the way down to “non-medal”.  To become platinum level, where you receive a corporation-paid climbing trip, you must achieve certain fitness levels and be a non-smoker.  Smoking cessation classes are part of the Corporate Wellness Program.

Corporate Wellness Programs Result in Big Savings

The Worksite Wellness Program has been a wise investment for Lincoln Industries.  By having healthier workers, they have seen an average of $2 million in savings in healthcare costs per year.  The savings don’t stop there, since instituting a Corporate Wellness Program, workers’ compensation claims have gone from $500,000 per year down to less than $10,000 per year.

Corporate Wellness Programs Becoming Increasingly Popular

Corporate Wellness Programs are Becoming Increasingly popular outside the workplace, showing the ever-increasing importance of disease prevention and health risk management.  Private insurance businesses, as well as state Medicaid and Medicare offices are working on ways to enhance the health of the people they insure in hopes to save money in the long run.  They are finding that mini-Workplace Corporate Wellness Programs are definitely the way to go.

Corporate Wellness Programs Aid in Early Intervention

A recent article that appeared in The Indianapolis Star, corporations, insurers and government agencies are turning to “early intervention to change the behavior of those struggling with common but dangerous health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart failure and coronary heart disease.”

The strategies that they incorporated to enhance their beneficiaries’ wellness postcard reminders for different lab tests or check-ups; and possibly even phone calls from nurses to work with the patients to make sure that they are taking their medicines properly and following the lifestyle changes that were suggested by their healthcare provider.

Corporate Wellness Programs Provide Quality Benefits

There are more benefits to a Worksite Wellness Program than just the savings that an company or a state agency will see; there is the benefit to the actually patient.  The patient is going to get the motivation and the reward to get better or to manage their health by having to answer to someone, whether that someone is a full-time wellness worker at their corporation or a nurse affiliated with their insurance corporation.