New NCEO Issue Brief Examines Wellness Programs in Employee Ownership Companies

Wellness Programs and Employee Ownership, a new issue brief from the NCEO, looks at the practical and legal issues of wellness programs. The brief also has several detailed examples of programs from ESOP companies.

Research on wellness programs shows a 300% return on every dollar invested, plus the intangible benefits of having a healthier work force. The programs we looked at had several common features, including:

• incentives for participation, often in the form of reductions in premiums;
• opportunities for both those at risk and those not at risk to earn incentives;
• biometric screening;
• wellness committees to run the program;
• health education programs;
• team-based challenges; and
• smoking cessation programs.

Some programs had on-site nurses or fitness equipment. Other companies provided healthy food choices or counseling (by phone, in person, or online). All reported that the programs were worthwhile investments with measurable results.

Companies implementing wellness programs need to get good advice on best practices as well as be aware of a variety of legal issues. While the rules are not difficult to meet, companies that are not aware of them may inadvertently violate such laws as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA).

To read excerpts or to order, go to this link. The issue brief is $15 for NCEO members and $25 for non-members.