Wellness & Sustainability Account
Introduced on April 1, 2008, this benefit applies to eligible employees who are members of AESES, IUOE and UWFA-Main, and eligible excluded support and academic employees.
The purpose of the Wellness & Sustainability account is to encourage healthy living for employees as well as better health for our communities and the environment by helping to offset the cost of physical activity, wellness programs, recycling, sustainable transportation, etc.
- This benefit is administered by The University of Winnipeg.
- The University pays the entire cost of these benefits.
- Claim forms should be forwarded to the Human Resources Department.
Included here is general information relating to the University of Winnipeg employee benefits. The information is intended as a summary of the main provisions of the various benefits, presented in non-technical language. The terms and conditions under which the benefits are provided, are governed by the appropriate group policy, contract, or plan text and any relevant Collective Agreement and in any dispute the legal document will take precedence over the information provided here.
Benefit Amount
Eligible UWFA-RAS and Excluded Academic Employees:
- Maximum claim amount: $75
Eligible AESES, IUOE and Excluded Support Employees:
- Maximum claim amount: $100
Eligible Reimbursement
Reimbursement under the Wellness & Sustainability Account includes but is not limited to the following items. Refer to the Wellness & Sustainability Claim form for the complete list of eligible items.
Wellness
- Membership at the Duckworth Centre or another fitness centre held in the employee's name
- Formal instruction for a physical activity or recreational centre program with a wellness focus
- Specific types of fitness equipment.
- Weight management program fees (excluding food) offered by accredited practitioner, for the employee
- Non-Prescription smoking cessation aids
Sustainability
- Bus passes and tickets/peggo e-passes and e-cash
- Home composters
- CFL and LED light bulbs (net of any rebates)
- Programmable thermostats
- Personal bicycle and replacement parts
- Carbon offsets purchased from a recognized carbon offset vendor
Carbon Offsets
Carbon Offset is a voluntary program whereby you calculate and assign a cost to your carbon emissions with the aid of an on-line carbon calculator. Carbon offsets are simply credits for emission reductions achieved by projects elsewhere, such as wind farms, solar installations, or energy efficiency projects.
For more information on carbon offsets please go to the following:
Program Details
The Wellness & Sustainability Account is a taxable benefit. Reimbursement under the Wellness/Sustainability Account will be added to your taxable earnings and will be subject to Income Tax, Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance deductions.
Credits will be available on a calendar year basis, with no carryover of either credits or eligible expenses.
A completed Claim Form with receipt(s) should be submitted to Human Resources when your claim amount for the year has reached at least $25, or at the end of the calendar year, irrespective of the amount.
Please note that if you are claiming for membership at the Duckworth Centre that is being paid by payroll deduction, the claim should not be submitted until the deducted amounts have reached the amount of the claim.
Reimbursement is added to your bi-weekly pay and direct deposited into your bank account. It will appear on your pay stub under Earnings Code 251 Wellness & Sustainability.
Due to the taxable nature of the program, current year claims must be submitted for reimbursement in time to be processed for the final pay of the calendar year. Please refer to the Wellness & Sustainability Claim form for the current year's claim deadline.
Wellness & Sustainability Account Exclusions
The following exclusions are specific to the Wellness & Sustainability Account. For General Exclusions that apply to all health benefits please refer to the Health Benefits Home Page.
- Any expenses for services and supplies rendered by a person who is ordinarily a resident in the employee's home or who is a Close Relative of the employee
- Expenses for services or supplies for spouse, dependents or other family members
- Fees or expenses for clubs/organizations where the singular focus is not on physical activity
- Fees or expenses for services associated with use of a fitness facility (e.g. locker fees)
- Services offered by health practitioners that could be payable under a provincial health plan, the University of Winnipeg group health plans or the Health Spending Account
- Fees for services incurred prior to the effective date of the program.
Claiming for Wellness & Sustainability Account Credits
Your completed and signed Wellness & Sustainability Account claim form, along with appropriate receipts, should be submitted to Human Resources for reimbursement.
- Reimbursement under the Wellness & Sustainability Account will be added to your taxable earnings and will be subject to Income Tax, Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance deductions.
- Credits will be available on a calendar year basis, with no carryover of either credits or eligible expenses.
- A completed Claim Form with receipt(s) should be submitted to Human Resources when your claim amount for the year has reached at least $25, or at the end of the calendar year, irrespective of the amount.
- Reimbursement will be made on the next available pay period following the receipt of your Claim Form in Human Resources.
- Due to the taxable nature of the program, current year claims must be submitted for reimbursement in time to be processed for the final pay of the calendar year.