Wellness As a Means to the Ends

If you want a raise, then participate in your company Wellness program.

I am sure by now many HR professionals and even employees have heard about corporate wellness programs. In fact, the term "wellness" sometimes means something different to everyone. Our health insurance industry has been promoting wellness for years as a way to change unhealthy behaviors and save on claim dollars down the road.

For some organizations, this may simply mean putting in a fitness center at work or organizing a daily walk for the staff. More sophisticated programs involve handing out pedometers, having guest speakers for lunch and learns and completing Health Risk Assessments. Some companies go as far as hiring a company to do Biometric Screenings - like Blood pressure and cholesterol checks; others may alter your health insurance payroll deduction based on participation in the program or give extra monies to your H S A account.

Now a company called Lincoln Industries is taking wellness a step further - they are incorporating it into employee's annual reviews. Imagine if part of your annual bonus or merit increase were based on following a healthy lifestyle. Come to think of it, maybe that is not such a bad idea. According to Health care statistics at www.preventdisease.com 2006 study estimated that - "70% to 90% of health care costs are due to unhealthy choices and preventable risks"


Steve Blewitt, GBA Vice President of IFS Benefits Steve is licensed in Life and Health in many states. Steve is actively involved in the National Association of Health Underwriters, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Delaware Society of Human Resource Management, Associated Builders and Contractors of Delaware, Delaware Contractors Association, Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, and New Castle County Chamber of Commerce.