Archive for March, 2009
Workplace Physical Activity Programs: Keys to Success
To make a difference in the lives of your fellow employees, you first need to grasp that getting active is not simply a matter of choice. Some things are within our individual control, but others are shaped by the people and circumstances in which we live and work.
It‘s Easier to Be Active When…
• We know [...]
Workplace Physical Activity Programs: Types of Assessment
The type of evaluation you choose depends on when you do it and the kind of information you gather.
This section outlines when to use three types: formative, process and summative evaluations.
During the Development Stage
Use formative evaluations in the planning stages to see that your program is based on solid information. These evaluations also help you [...]
Workplace Physical Activity Programs: Assessment Guide
What Do You Want to Achieve?
Consider why you’re evaluating and what your evaluation is going to measure.
If you’re trying to learn whether initiative has been successful, see if you stuck to your mission statement and met your objectives and goals.
If you do not have a mission statement or objectives and goals, decide with management and [...]
Workplace Physical Activity Programs: Establishing an Action Plan
Before initiating your Workplace Physical Activity Program, summarize the information you’ve collected and plan your next steps.
At this point, you have
• gained reinforcement from management for the Workplace Physical Activity Program
• formed an Employee Wellness Committee
• assessed what is possible in your workplace
• found out what employees want and need in a Workplace Physical Activity [...]
Workplace Physical Activity Programs: Employee Interest Survey
To succeed in encouraging physical exercise during the workday, you must learn what employees need and want. They are the people whose behavior you are trying to effect, so it’s critical to know their needs and gain their reinforcement.
The Employee Interest Survey
Ask employees questions that allow you to evaluate such key characteristics as age, sex, [...]
Workplace Physical Activity Programs: Committees and Opportunities
Workplace Physical Activity Programs: Forming an Employee Committee
Although reinforcement from the top is vital to a successful initiative, reinforcement from other employees is also significant.
Once you get the go-ahead from management, identify others who are interested in the project and form a Employee Wellness Committee to help determine the next steps. Depending on the size [...]
Workplace Physical Activity Programs: Gaining Upper Management Support
Gaining management reinforcement is vital to the success of a physical exercise initiative.
Whether the changes you’d like to see involve the work environment, overall policies or specific programs, successfully implementing your ideas depends on management reinforcement.
Support from management is vital for three reasons:
• You need their agreement to involve employees in a workplace initiative.
• When [...]
Motivational Employee Wellness Events
These are simple and fun events that have the potential to be done within your business to encourage healthy lifestyles during a contest or during other times. The objective is to encourage employee participation. Some examples:
• Create a sub-committee of enthusiastic employees who will help promote the exercise program by offering ideas, suggestions and encouragement [...]
Healthy Emails / Wellness Emails
These are brief informational “Health Tips” in an e-mail format on many different health-related topics. You have the potential to appoint someone within your business to find specific topics on the Internet from sites that are in the public domain or topics can be purchased from corporations. Some qualified sources include:
• Hope Health
• Sound Ideas, [...]
Wellness Seminars / Lunch and Learn Programs
Wellness Seminars / Lunch and Learn Programs are informational sessions planned and organized by you to meet specific objectives and goals. Decide on a topic and select a speaker. Select a site for the “Lunch and Learn” session, usually a lunchroom or break room. Depending on your budget and objectives, employees have the potential to [...]
