Workplace Wellness

Why is workplace wellness important?

As part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s plan to control costs, improve quality, and expand access to health care, the Chamber believes that wellness and chronic disease management programs in the workplace play a critical role in improving the nation’s health and productivity. As the largest purchasers of health care, employers are uniquely situated to help provide leadership in the workplace wellness and health promotion space. 

Workplace wellness programs are a win-win for both the employer and employees. Employees who participate in workplace wellness programs are fitter, more productive, have better morale, and are safer than employees who do not otherwise treat their chronic conditions. Employers who offer wellness initiatives have achieved excellent returns on their investment – programs that follow best practice guidelines return $2 to $3 dollars for each dollar invested. These savings can be used to pay employees higher wages, invest in further adapting benefits to specific employee population needs, and create more jobs.

Where can I get more information about setting up a wellness program?

Please click here to access the Chamber’s Workplace Wellness Toolkit and learn more about wellness programs and how to set up a workplace wellness program for your business. The toolkit contains a brochure titled “Workplace Wellness Programs: Promoting Better Health While Controlling Costs,” an instructional video on how to set up a workplace wellness program, as well as case studies of other employers with successful workplace wellness initiatives.

Additionally, the Chamber’s Business Civil Leadership Center recently published a report titled, “The Role of Business in Health and Wellness Innovation.” The report shares stories of business solutions for wellness and prevention, systems innovation, disease management, and market mechanisms.

How is the business community showing leadership in workplace wellness?

On April 3, 2013, in commemoration of “National Workplace Wellness Week,” the Chamber hosted an event titled, “Innovations in Workplace and Community Wellness: Advancing Private-Public Partnerships.” The event highlighted ways that workplace and community wellness programs are evolving, with an emphasis on new trends, challenges, and opportunities in the health promotion field. It also emphasized how elected officials are teaming up with the business community to impact the lifestyle choices of the public and prevent the onset of disease.

To access the agenda, presentations, and photographs from this event, please click here.

At the end of November 2012, the Department of Labor, the Department of Treasury, and the Department of Health and Human Services released the proposed regulation regarding incentives for nondiscriminatory wellness programs in group health plans. The Chamber submitted comments on January 25, 2013, which can be found here.