Determining a budget for creating a Worksite Health and Wellness Program
Beginning a Worksite Health and Wellness Program need not be costly, but will require the commitment of some financial resources. If possible, include the Worksite Health and Wellness Program in your company’s annual business plan and budget as you do for other efforts important to your company’s success.
How much to budget for the Worksite Health and Wellness Program?
There is no one-size-fits-all formula for creating a Worksite Health and Wellness Program that results in improved employee health. Organizations differ in how much money they need and how much they can make available for the Worksite Health and Wellness Program. Consider the following common expenses in developing an adequate Worksite Health and Wellness Program budget:
• Worksite Health and Wellness Program staffing costs (either internal salaries or consultant fees)
• Worksite Health and Wellness Program data collection costs (including health risk assessment costs, if relevant)
• Worksite Health and Wellness Program incentives for healthy behaviors (such as discounts on premiums for non-smokers)
• Costs of Worksite Health and Wellness Program Strategies to be started (such as costs of covering tobacco quit medications or costs of subsidizing healthy foods in the cafeteria or vending machines)
• Worksite Health and Wellness Program administrative and communications expenses
In times of tight finances, be prepared to justify your requested Worksite Health and Wellness Program budget. Arm yourself with data on potential short- and long-term outcomes of the proposed Worksite Health and Wellness Program Strategies. Itemize the Worksite Health and Wellness Program expenses of past initiatives and share projected expenses for initiatives planned for the upcoming year.
Sustaining Worksite Health and Wellness Program Financing
A dedicated Worksite Health and Wellness Program line item in your company’s budget makes it more likely to be regarded as a need, rather than as a “nice-to-have” amenity that could be cut when funds run low.
One of the best Strategies for ensuring continued financial support for the Worksite Health and Wellness Program is frequent communication to leadership, including:
• How many workers have you reached through the Worksite Health and Wellness Program? Has morale increased? Have health risks decreased, e.g., fewer workers smoking, more workers active?
• How well are you managing the Worksite Health and Wellness Program resources you’ve been given? Where and how has your budget been spent? Keep track of the staff time required for each initiative and be able to present the numbers at any time.
• Anecdotal Worksite Health and Wellness Program success stories from workers. Don’t underestimate the power of a good story to put a human face on your success.
Supplemental sources of Worksite Health and Wellness Program Financing
If needed, have the individuals responsible for creating a Worksite Health and Wellness Program look for ways to supplement available internal funds. Are there grants or other funding available that can help support your Worksite Health and Wellness Program ? What community Worksite Health and Wellness Program resources could you use to meet some of your needs?
