Get this there may be a national healthcare debate going on but according to a new survey, the percent of organizations providing wellness options to their employees has increased significantly from last year.
According to the Benefits USA 2009-2010 survey, 87 percent of organizations offer flu shots and immunizations, compared to 57.5 percent last year.
As healthcare costs continue to spiral upwards, companies are becoming more creative in order to control costs and offering wellness programs is one solution not only because it can keep health fees down, but it can also boost productivity in the workplace.
It seems like a no-brainer.
Fifty-six percent of companies offer health risk assessments and 52 percent offer tobacco cessation programs, up from 32 percent for both offerings last year. Access to physical fitness facilities is offered by 27 percent of the organizations surveyed.
Companies across the county are beginning to see the value in creating comprehensive, goal-oriented wellness programs, said Amy Kaminski, manager of marketing programs for Compdata Surveys, a compensation and benefits survey data provider. A good wellness program not only promotes a healthy lifestyle for employees, but can have long-terms, positive economic implications for the sponsoring company.
