Health and Wellness Leads : Establish a Workplace Wellness Program Committee

A essential first step in organizing your company’s wellness program is the formation of a Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee. The focus of the Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee is to plan, reward, and start the program. The Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee establishes continuity, motivation, and broad ownership of the program as well as provides an great vehicle for communication.

So who ought to be on the Worksite Wellness Program Committee? Consider appointing the following people/departments to your Worksite Wellness Program Committee:

• Senior Leadership within your employer
• Union representatives
• Human resources department
• Employee Assistance Program
• Information technology
• Communications
• Health and safety department
• employees interested in health & wellness

Building a efficacious Worksite Wellness Program requires employee time as well as money. Some larger businesses may spend 20 hours per week for three to six months preparing all the steps prior to kicking off a Worksite Wellness Program.

Anywhere from 4 to 10 people meeting monthly equals a Employee Wellness Program Committee. A mission statement for the Employee Wellness Program Committee ought to be developed by the second meeting. This way, everyone knows what the Employee Wellness Program Committee is working toward.

Once a wellness program has been established, the committee’s size and meeting schedule may differ. Still, no fewer than 4 members ought to meet at least quarterly so the group – and the wellness program – does not fade away.