Employers explore nontraditional benefits
North Idaho College is one of several area employers that offer employee benefits beyond the standard ones. Among them is a wellness program that it has offered to employees for more than 25 years.
As the workforce becomes increasingly interested in a healthy work-life balance and overall wellness, some employers are experimenting with nontraditional benefits designed to attract and retain top talent.
Companies spent $51 billion on employee wellness in 2020, Business Insider reported, and that figure is projected to rise to $100 billion over the coming decade. These wellness initiatives range from health plans and resource programs for employees to digital tools, all with the goal of promoting a happier and more productive workforce.
North Idaho College is one of several area employers that offer employee benefits beyond the standard ones — though for NIC, it’s not a new concept. In fact, the college has offered a wellness program to employees for more than 25 years.
“Although the focus of our program has evolved, one of our goals is to provide employees with health and wellbeing benefits,” said Andrea Woempner, NIC benefits specialist.
NIC offers all the benefits one might expect from a large employer, including 15 days of vacation to start, up to 12 days of sick leave per year, 14 paid holidays, paid leave for jury duty, military service and bereavement and retirement contributions.
Employees also receive some unique perks from working for the community college, including discounted beach and outdoor rentals from Outdoor Pursuits, free admission to home athletic games and tuition assistance for employees and dependents. Tuition is waived for employees who take classes at NIC and $5 per credit, plus fees, at participating Idaho institutions.
NIC’s employee wellness program incentivizes employees and their spouses to complete activities such as attending annual wellness exams, exercising, meditating and practicing financial wellness. Through the program, employees can earn up to $3,000 to pay for eligible medical, dental and vision expenses.
About 60% of eligible NIC employees participate in the college’s wellness program.
“We believe that the benefits we offer do help to attract and retain our employees,” Woempner said. “The average length of service for our full-time employees is 11 years.”
A new type of health benefit is emerging among Kootenai County’s large employers: health clinics.
In 2023, the Hagadone Corporation opened a private health clinic in The Resort Plaza Shops for eligible health plan members and their covered dependents.
The clinic offers primary and preventative care. Treatment of illnesses and injuries, management of chronic conditions, physicals and support for lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation and weight loss are included. The clinic also has a pharmacy and a lab.
Services are free, with no co-pays and no insurance claims.
Kootenai County opened a similar clinic last fall for county employees. Like the Hagadone clinic, the county’s clinic is operated by PMR Healthcare and offers primary and preventative care without co-pays or deductibles.
When the Kootenai County clinic opened, Commissioner Leslie Duncan called it “a new era in employee health care.”
