Some drop wellness programs

Some corporate wellness programs aren't what they're pumped up to be.

In a recent survey of business executives in Lee County by Florida Gulf Coast University, 13% of businesses say they have dropped wellness programs for their employees. In fact, 22% of respondents say wellness programs add to their overhead costs.

Of those respondents who don't offer a wellness program for employees, 42% cite the lack of personnel to develop and oversee such a program.

Still, most businesses responded positively to the survey of wellness programs, with 57% of executives telling the survey that they've added wellness programs. Among the new programs: cash incentives for wellness screening, penalties for smoking, assistance for alcohol and drug abuse, funding for exercise classes and nutrition education.