One way corporate America is tackling the rise in healthcare costs is by offering an employee wellness program. Many are offering incentives to employees in terms of gifts and rewards for employees who become actively engaged. The benefits are worth the investment as employers are encouraging employees to take an active role in maintaining their health.
KePRO Industry News
Many employers’ healthcare costs are soaring as a result of the high prevalence of chronic diseases. This is cutting into profit margins and making it difficult for companies to expand. In order to address the situation, many businesses are looking to employee wellness programs.
For example, a group of business leaders in Oregon and state health officials recently joined forces to form the initiative Wellness@Work, according to Oregon Business. The project provides companies with an online resource that they can use gauge their employees’ levels of wellness and consider new initiatives to improve well-being.
“We’re hoping businesses will bring together a committee of employees from all departments to make changes to their workplaces,” Dawn Robbins, the state’s worksite wellness coordinator, told the news source.
She added that despite fears over the cost of the initiatives, most businesses see a significant return on their investment in employee wellness. In fact, the Wellness Council of America estimates that most will experience a return of $3 for every $1 invested.
This could help businesses handle the dramatic rise in healthcare costs that are expected to occur this year and beyond.