By Amelia Zwecher

Workplace wellness programs may help to lower and control health care spending.

It’s a common myth that corporations and other large businesses often host wellness programs, but small businesses do not.

Compliant wellness programs may help to lower and control health care spending. The New York Times stated that wellness programs have grown into a $6 billion industry because employers believe the efforts help employees and the bottom line. For a small business, offering a wellness program can pay off handsomely. Many employers report that health-conscious employees are absent less frequently, are more productive in the workplace and have fewer doctor visits.

There are many types of wellness programs available for small businesses. They include:

• Year-long or less fitness programs that allow employees to partake in friendly competition.
• Vending machines with healthy snack options.
• Asking for employee feedback.
• Setting up a rewards program with monetary or non-monetary forms of recognition.
• Offering Lunch ‘n’ Learn workshops/webinars.
• Hosting an annual physical activity campaign (i.e., soccer, baseball, volleyball or a bowling tournament).
• Designating a company wellness leader to help keep the program’s momentum.

Wellness programs can also improve employee retention. Employees are empowered when they feel appreciated and acknowledged.

To learn more about wellness programs, visit the newly launched HR Hub, which offers expert advice and material. Read more about the HR Hub if you missed last week’s SEMA eNews announcement.

For more information, contact Manager of Career Services Amelia F. Zwecher, PhD, PHR at ameliaz@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to exempt a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that is licensed as an antique vehicle from the imposition of local license tax and fees was approved by the Virginia House of Delegates.

Legislation to exempt a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that is licensed as an antique vehicle from the imposition of local license tax and fees was approved by the Virginia House of Delegates. Having already been approved by the Virginia Senate, the bill will now be sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. Virginia law defines an antique motor vehicle as every motor vehicle which was actually manufactured or designated by the automaker as a model manufactured in a calendar year not less than 25 years prior to January 1 of each calendar year, and is owned solely as a collector's item.  

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to exempt a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that is licensed as an antique vehicle from the imposition of local license tax and fees was approved by the Virginia House of Delegates.

Legislation to exempt a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that is licensed as an antique vehicle from the imposition of local license tax and fees was approved by the Virginia House of Delegates. Having already been approved by the Virginia Senate, the bill will now be sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. Virginia law defines an antique motor vehicle as every motor vehicle which was actually manufactured or designated by the automaker as a model manufactured in a calendar year not less than 25 years prior to January 1 of each calendar year, and is owned solely as a collector's item.  

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to exempt a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that is licensed as an antique vehicle from the imposition of local license tax and fees was approved by the Virginia House of Delegates.

Legislation to exempt a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that is licensed as an antique vehicle from the imposition of local license tax and fees was approved by the Virginia House of Delegates. Having already been approved by the Virginia Senate, the bill will now be sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. Virginia law defines an antique motor vehicle as every motor vehicle which was actually manufactured or designated by the automaker as a model manufactured in a calendar year not less than 25 years prior to January 1 of each calendar year, and is owned solely as a collector's item.  

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to exempt a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that is licensed as an antique vehicle from the imposition of local license tax and fees was approved by the Virginia House of Delegates.

Legislation to exempt a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that is licensed as an antique vehicle from the imposition of local license tax and fees was approved by the Virginia House of Delegates. Having already been approved by the Virginia Senate, the bill will now be sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. Virginia law defines an antique motor vehicle as every motor vehicle which was actually manufactured or designated by the automaker as a model manufactured in a calendar year not less than 25 years prior to January 1 of each calendar year, and is owned solely as a collector's item.  

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to require the issuance of only a single rear license plate for sports cars and those vehicles registered as antiques was reintroduced.

Legislation to require the issuance of only a single rear license plate for sports cars and those vehicles registered as antiques was reintroduced. Iowa defines an antique vehicle as a motor vehicle 25 years old or older. The bill defines a sports car to mean a motor vehicle originally manufactured with seats for two passengers, with a front bumper that sits 8 in. from the ground or less, and capable of exceeding 130 mph.  

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to require the issuance of only a single rear license plate for sports cars and those vehicles registered as antiques was reintroduced.

Legislation to require the issuance of only a single rear license plate for sports cars and those vehicles registered as antiques was reintroduced. Iowa defines an antique vehicle as a motor vehicle 25 years old or older. The bill defines a sports car to mean a motor vehicle originally manufactured with seats for two passengers, with a front bumper that sits 8 in. from the ground or less, and capable of exceeding 130 mph.  

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to require the issuance of only a single rear license plate for sports cars and those vehicles registered as antiques was reintroduced.

Legislation to require the issuance of only a single rear license plate for sports cars and those vehicles registered as antiques was reintroduced. Iowa defines an antique vehicle as a motor vehicle 25 years old or older. The bill defines a sports car to mean a motor vehicle originally manufactured with seats for two passengers, with a front bumper that sits 8 in. from the ground or less, and capable of exceeding 130 mph.  

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to require the issuance of only a single rear license plate for sports cars and those vehicles registered as antiques was reintroduced.

Legislation to require the issuance of only a single rear license plate for sports cars and those vehicles registered as antiques was reintroduced. Iowa defines an antique vehicle as a motor vehicle 25 years old or older. The bill defines a sports car to mean a motor vehicle originally manufactured with seats for two passengers, with a front bumper that sits 8 in. from the ground or less, and capable of exceeding 130 mph.  

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation to substantially increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as historic or special-interest vehicles was withdrawn by the sponsor.

After an outpouring of opposition statewide, legislation to substantially increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as historic or special-interest vehicles was withdrawn by the sponsor. Under the bill, the age requirement would have been raised from 25 to at least 45 years old. The bill also would have required that a historic vehicle owner have registered one or more vehicles used for daily transportation. The bill had been introduced and rushed through the committee process on a single day before being withdrawn from consideration on the House floor. 

For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.