Health and Wellness Leads : Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee

Wellness committees are important in that they foster a sense of ownership in the program, and facilitate various tasks involved in wellness programming at the workplace. The Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee must be composed of a cross-section of staff members representing various occupations, levels, and subgroups with the corporation.

A common mistake is filling the Company Wellness Program Committee with the most health/fitness-conscious people in the corporation. Don’t rely solely on volunteers to fill a Company Wellness Program Committee. Make sure that your Company Wellness Program Committee members have sufficient authority in the corporation to run an effective wellness program.

The Company Health Promotion Program Committee is made up of staff members from the worksite. It oversees the wellness program and helps carry it out. The Company Health Promotion Program Committee ought to meet about once a month to review the previous month’s activities and plan future ones. When the program is just starting, the Company Health Promotion Program 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 Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee’s duties fall into three areas: planning, promoting, and supporting to run programs.

Planning the programs can include:

• Finding space for activities
• Beginning and organizing workplace-wide events such as contests
• Reviewing 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 worksite

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 staff members

The size of the Company Health Promotion Program Committee will be dependent on the size of the organization. Pick participants by asking day management to nominate or appoint employees.

Make an announcement through flyers, memos, and meetings to recruit potential participants. Explain the purpose of the Corporate Wellness Program Committee, duties and responsibilities, and the time commitment.

Recognize your Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee volunteers. Allow them to take part in programs at a reduced cost. Hold appreciation breakfasts/lunches/dinners. Print names of Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee members on employer 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. Design awards certificates for participants.

The following can be used as a guide for Company Wellness Program Committee size:

• Less than 300 workers   2 to 4
• 300 to 1,000 employees   4 to 6
• 1,000 employees or more   6 to 12