Employee Wellness Committee
Wellness committees are significant in that they create a sense of ownership in the program, and facilitate various tasks involved in wellness programming at the workplace. The Employee Wellness Committee should be composed of a cross-section of employees representing various occupations, levels, and subgroups with the business.
A common mistake is filling the Employee Wellness Committee with the most health/fitness-conscious people in the business. Don’t rely solely on volunteers to fill a Employee Wellness Committee. Make sure that your Employee Wellness Committee members have enough authority in the business to run an effective wellness program.
The Employee Wellness Committee is made up of employees from the workplace. It oversees the wellness program and helps carry it out. The Employee Wellness Committee should meet about once a month to review the previous month’s activities and plan future ones. When the program is just starting, the Employee Wellness Committee may meet on a weekly basis until things get going.
Committee members do not carry out medical procedures, counsel clients, or handle confidential health information. Wellness professionals perform these tasks.
In general, the Employee Wellness Committee’s duties fall into three areas: planning, promoting, and assisting to run programs.
Planning the programs can include:
• Finding space for activities
• Planning and organizing worksite-wide events such as contests
• Evaluating reports prepared by the program employee and making recommendations
Promoting the program can include:
• Recruiting employees to take part in evaluation and health improvement programs
• Encouraging employees to take part in follow-up counseling
• Organizing promotional strategies using newsletters, signs, bulletin boards, computers, and other media available within the workplace
Helping to run the program can include:
• Setting up equipment for various activities
• Helping to conduct worksite-wide activities
• Monitoring all activities and reviewing the performance of the professional employee
• Acting as wellness mentors to fellow employees
The size of the Employee Wellness Committee will be dependent on the size of the business. Pick members by asking day management to nominate or appoint employees.
Make an announcement through flyers, memos, and meetings to recruit potential members. Explain the purpose of the Employee Wellness Committee, duties and responsibilities, and the time commitment.
Recognize your Employee Wellness Committee volunteers. Allow them to participate in programs at a reduced expense. Hold appreciation breakfasts/lunches/dinners. Print names of Employee Wellness Committee members on business communications about the wellness program.
Purchase special T-shirts, caps, and buttons for them. Write letters to supervisors saying that you appreciate the member’s service. Create awards certificates for members.
The following can be used as a guide for Employee Wellness Committee size:
• Less than 300 employees 2 to 4
• 300 to 1,000 employees 4 to 6
• 1,000 employees or more 6 to 12
