How to Start a Corporate Wellness Program

A corporate wellness program is intended to encourage employees to take steps to improve their health or maintain good health. Corporate wellness programs benefit both employee and employer. Employees who are healthy may be more productive, have better morale and use fewer sick days. Companies with corporate wellness programs also tend to save money due to reduced absenteeism and lower health insurance rates. Starting a successful corporate wellness program requires organization, networking and planning.

Instructions

1. Identify the needs of employees. A corporate wellness program may focus on certain areas, such as fitness and health education. However, individual companies may have particular needs. For example, in some companies, high stress levels may be a major problem. Other businesses may have a large number of smokers. Develop a questionnaire to give to employees to determine what the biggest health concerns and interests are. Recruit employees to participate in a planning committee to develop the program.

2. Set goals for the program, such as having a certain percentage of employees participating in exercise classes or smoking cessation programs. Determine how you will evaluate the success of the program such as a decrease in employee sick calls, or reduction in the number of smokers.

3. Form partnerships with health and fitness businesses in the community. For instance, contact local fitness centers to determine if they would provide discounts to company employees. Contact other health related industries and vendors, such as chiropractors, nutritionists and massage therapists, to determine available discounts. Explain that you will be bringing them additional clients.

4. Get the word out to all employees. Create a packet of written information for employees about the benefits, goals and incentives of participating in the program. Develop a calendar of wellness events, classes and speakers who are coming to the business. Email information and post it on company bulletin boards. Hold a meeting to answer questions.

5. Offer on-site classes. If possible hold exercise classes on-site before or after work to make it convenient for employees to attend. Contact health professionals to hold educational classes on stress reduction and nutrition. Call local hospitals to determine if they have smoking cessation classes that could be held on the company's site.

6. Provide incentives. A corporate wellness program will only be effective if employees participate. In addition to the promise of becoming healthy, consider offering employees rewards for participation. For example, after tracking attendance at health education classes or involvement in an exercise program, provide rewards such as an additional vacation day or gift cards.

Tips & Warnings

• Make it fun. Getting healthy may be hard work, but it can also be enjoyable. Consider starting a company softball or volleyball team. Put together a company wellness newsletter to congratulate employees on reaching health related goals. Develop fitness contests as an additional incentive for employees.