Posts from — May 2010

Ideally, you will create an overall plan for a wellness program before starting to plan specific wellness programs. for example, you can start by getting the following elements in place –

• support from  senior management

• a wellness committee or team

• information about the wellness needs and interests of employees

• a budget

• program objectives

• an examination plan

Even if you have few financial and/or human resources (HR), you can still take a “micro” approach. for example, you could focus on only one specific issue or problem. Creativity, enthusiasm and planning can help you overcome limitations.

This article will give you some ideas for establishing up wellness programs. Even the smallest steps can have an impact.

Whether you select to start with a single program or create something larger, planning is essential. First think about the large picture and then look after the details.

Ask yourself these questions –

• Identify an action. What health-related program will fit the bill and best suit the employees and organization?

• Promote. How can you most effectively get the word out to employees? What are the opportunities for promotion? Consider everything, because employees have access to and pay attention to different types of messages.

In a average workplace, staff members get information from e-mail, newsletters, bulletins,  flyers, meeting announcements and fellow staff members.

• Deliver. Who’s the best individuals or group to put the program into action? Ask other companies about approaches they have used. Decide on your budget before making a decision.

• Evaluate. What should you evaluate to determine success? Do you need hard data and/or testimonials from individual participants?

We recommend the following when planning your initiative –

• creating and communicating clear objectives

• targeting your audience

• determining on the type of program or campaign

The Elements of Wellness Programming

Programs to promote wellness in the workplace don’t need to be restricted to a single area. You may think corporate wellness only involves promoting positive personal health, e.g., blood pressure clinics,  brochures on heart disease, “lunch and learn” seminars on consuming habits and short-term physical activity programs.

These activities are important, but corporate wellness should also be part of a corporation’s company strategy and go beyond traditional programming.

Taking a expanded approach, the National Quality Institute lately identified three key elements of a healthy workplace –

• physical environment

• social environment and personal resources

• health practices

Specific Program Ideas

Physical Environment

Look after workers’ health and safety and establish regulations to support their health and safety. Consider providing the following –

• Safe bicycle storage and shower and/or change facilities for cyclists and other commuters.

• Fridges for employees to keep snacks and meals fresh and/or healthy snacks in vending machines and cafeterias.

• Ergonomic assessments.

• Subsidies to help employees join local recreation centers.

• Classrooms/conference rooms available for booking activities such as yoga, pilates, tai chi, meditation and aerobics.

• Safe and pleasant stairwells that invite workers to use them.

• Evaluating the potential for violence at work with plans to deal with such risks.

• Good lighting and sound and air quality.

Social Environment

Human relationships and communication, as well as ways of doing company, can affect an employee’s mental and physical health. Companies should consider the following –

• respectful workplace policies that provide safe worksites

• policies on flex time

• policies on working from home

• employee satisfaction surveys

• leadership coaching

• resiliency training

• staff member assistance programs

To foster a positive social culture or climate, consider employees’ needs, which include –

• being respected

• a sense of belonging, purpose and mission

• freedom of expression

• protection from harassment and discrimination

What you have “always done” might not address current worker needs. Ensuring that people  enjoy being at work is not an easy task, but making the right changes can have a gigantic impact.

Health Practices

Offer programs and set policies that help staff members remain healthy or improve their health while at work. Consider offering the following –

• “Lunch and learn sessions” on healthy habits like sleeping better, eating on the run, healthy snacks, using a pedometer, pole walking, work-life balance, time management, stress management, resiliency, parenting and reading nutrition labels.

• Stop use of tobacco clinics or subsidies to help staff members quit.

• Health risk (assessment|appraisal}s, including fitness assessments.

• Programs to address the issues raised in the health risk (assessment|appraisal}s.

• Healthy snacks served at meetings and conferences.

Personal Corporate Wellness Tips

If there is no wellness program at your worksite, don’t let that stop you from keeping healthy. Perhaps your example will spark a movement toward a healthier workplace.

Here are several ideas to think about –

• be active at work. There are many ways to bring activity into your workday. Walk to work, even if it’s just one way. Hold walking meetings. Bicycle to work. Use the stairs. Walk to a workmate’s office instead of sending an e-mail.

• Eat well at work. Pack a healthy snack and meal. Place a bottle of water at your desk or workstation. Eat breakfast and eat regularly during the day. Take turns bringing a basket of fruit for coworkers’ snacks. Order healthy snacks for meetings.

• Maintain work-life balance. Make certain to work efficiently so you can leave on time. Conduct short, effective meetings. Leave your work at work and do not take it home.

Minimize social chit-chat. Make certain to set up your office to enhance your work. Avoid clutter. Plan and prioritize to ensure that the most important things get done first.

There’s no limit to the number or variety of wellness programs. A key to success is planning well and ensuring that you can evaluate the results so that you can sustain momentum.

Talk to other wellness practitioners to find out what works well for them. Listen to your coworkers to determine their needs and interests. and do not forget to promote, promote, promote.