Colantonio Employee Wellness Fair

There was seated massage, core exercise training, Reiki, yoga, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings, plus advice for healthy eating during the holiday food craze, all held on site in the company’s warehouse. It was the third annual Wellness Fair held at Colantonio Inc. of Holliston, a general contractor that builds major public and private projects, and also makes it a priority to build a culture of health and wellness for its employees.

“Getting the tax break is great, but what’s more important is the culture of our company and helping our people be healthy,” said company Chairman and CEO Francis Colantonio. “That’s why we have these programs and invest in wellness.”

In recent years Colantonio has invested in ergonomic office furniture like sit-stand desks and ball chairs, an AED machine, CPR and first aid training. The company provides healthy snacks and spring water in the breakroom and holds an annual wellness fair. These and other initiatives qualify Colantonio for a Massachusetts Wellness Tax Credit.

In Massachusetts, companies with 200 or fewer employees can qualify for a tax credit equal to 25% of their investments in wellness programs and equipment, to a maximum credit of $10,000 per year.

“As we head into 2018, companies can start to plan now and by the end of the year be in the position to receive the tax credit,” said Vanessa Costa, co-founder and principal at Advantage Benefits Group, who works with Colantonio Inc. “It’s one of the best ways for small and medium sized companies to control their costs and promote employee health. The first step is to create a wellness team and set some goals.”

The latest wellness initiative at Colantonio is participation in the Healthy Actions program from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts which offers up to $300 cash for employees who see their primary care physician for a physical and take steps to improve their health. If enough employees visit their doctors in 2018, Colantonio will qualify for a credit on their annual health insurance premium. The company also is implementing a new Fitness Incentive Program in 2018 that offers Holliston based employees up to $1,000 in cash if they create a personalized fitness plan and meet their goals.

“We want to get people excited about wellness, and the cash incentive seems to be working,” said Leanne Floyd, CPA, Controller at Colantonio and a member of the company’s wellness team. “We appreciate Vanessa’s help in keeping us informed about what’s out there and helping us implement programs that save money and get people excited about wellness.”