Health Fairs

Armed with data, Employee Wellness topic preferences and objectives and goals – and a Employee Wellness  Committee eager to get things done – it is now time to decide how best to take action.  This website provides tools to help you!  You can read about the different types of wellness programs provided by other corporations to get an idea of what could possibly prove effective for your business.  There are Statewide Resources listed along with national non-profit groups offering resources, and particular examples of resources available on various wellness topics.  In addition, keep looking under Steps to an Effective Program for ideas to get you started!

If your planning phase was well executed, you should simply have to follow through with the plans you have already made.

Important Employee Wellness considerations include:

1. Formally Introduce the Employee Wellness  and consider policy statements that state the effect of the wellness program.  Examples include a general policy regarding the commitment to employee health and safety as well as specific policies such as No Smoking, Healthy Eating and Physical Activity.
2. Communicate Your Program: The best planned program with great wellness programs will not be advantageous if your employees are unaware of it or do not know the options or how to participate.  Communicate your wellness program using a variety of methods to ensure the message and “how-to’s” are heard!

Employee Wellness  Communication Strategies could include:

• Newsletter articles
• Postings on the company’s intranet or internet
• A designated Champion of the program
• Formal or informal meeting to announce program, “the kick-off”
• Flyers / pamphlets / brochures / table tents,
• Bulletin boards / kiosk where all material is promoted or found,
• Email / phone messages,
• Mailings or distributions

3. Use Employee Wellness  Incentives:  You will be amazed to learn what most of us will do for a free T-shirt.  Incentives have the potential to both support and excite participation among employees.  Consider both formal or business incentives/rewards and informal or program rewards/prizes from local resources to reinforce participation in Employee Wellness . Either way, it’s significant to support incentives/rewards that are attractive and meaningful to your employees.

Formal Employee Wellness  Incentives:

• Savings on employee medical insurance premiums or co-pays, or contributions to 401K programs, employee stock options, or other mechanisms.

Click here for more information on health plan incentive ideas

• health club/Fitness Center discounts or enrollment fee coverage
• Public transportation vouchers
• Flexible work time options
• “Wellness Days” off work

Prizes or Informal Employee Wellness  Incentives:

• Cash – a very effective incentive!
• Prize incentives/rewards such as gift certificates to heart-healthy restaurants; music player to use while working out, emergency kits, or any other prizes that would excite your employees.
• T-Shirts, water bottles, or other inexpensive rewards

4. Evaluate neighborhood resources available to support some of the wellness services.  The local health department or your business health care provider may be able to support  you with this information.  There are also vendors throughout the State providing excellent wellness services for corporations.  They are available to help you strategize and find the best options available.

5. Start your program as planned documenting information and outcomes as you go such as numbers of participants, dates of activities, and any other special details you are tracking.