Wellness Program Implementation .
Armed with data, Wellness Program topic preferences, objectives, and objectives – and a Wellness Committee rearing to get things done – it’s now time to decide how best to take action. This website provides tools to help you!
You can peruse about the different kinds of wellness programs offered by other corporations to get an idea of what might work for your company.
If your planning phase was well executed, you should simply have to follow through with the plans you have already made.
Important Wellness Program considerations include –
1. Formally Introduce the Wellness Program and consider policy statements that state the importance of the wellness program. Examples include a general policy regarding the commitment to worker health and safety in addition to specific policies such as No Tobacco use, Healthy Eating and Exercise.
2. Communicate Your Program – the best planned program with great wellness programs won’t be beneficial if your employees don’t know about it or don’t understand the options or how to participate. Communicate your wellness program using a selection of methods to ensure the message and “how-to’s” are heard!
Wellness Program Communication Strategies could include –
• Newsletter articles
• Postings on the corporation’s intranet or internet
• A designated Champion of the program
• Formal or informal meeting to announce program, “the kick-off”
• flyers / table tents,
• Bulletin boards / kiosk where all material is promoted or found,
• Email / phone messages,
• Mailings or distributions
3. Use Wellness Program Incentives – You’ll be amazed to find out what individuals will do for a free T-shirt. Incentives can both support and motivate participation among staff members.
Consider both formal or company incentives and informal or program rewards/prizes from local resources to reinforce participation in Wellness Programs. Either way, it’s important to provide incentives that are attractive and meaningful to your workers.
Business Structural or Formal Wellness Program Incentives –
• Discounts on worker medical insurance premiums or co-pays, or contributions to 401K programs, worker stock choices, or other mechanisms. Click here for additional information on medical plan incentive ideas
• Health Club/Health Club discounts or enrollment fee coverage
• Public transportation vouchers
• Flexible work time options
• “Wellness Days” off work
Rewards/Prizes or Informal Wellness Program Incentives –
• Cash – a very effective incentive!
• Prize incentives such as gift certificates to heart healthy restaurants; music player to use while exercising, emergency kits, or any other prizes that would motivate your workers.
• T-Shirts, water bottles, or other low cost rewards
4. Assess community resources available to provide some of the wellness services. The local health department or your corporation health care provider might be able to assist you with this information. There are also vendors throughout the State providing great wellness services for companies. They are available to help you strategize and find the best options available.
5. Implement your program as planned documenting information and outcomes as you go like numbers of participants, dates of activities, and any other special details you’re tracking.