Health and Wellness Leads : Workplace Health Promotion Programs: Small vs. Big Corporation Options

Can a small business support workplace wellness? You bet! In fact, in some ways it is easier to create a healthy workplace in a small business than in a large business.

Limited resources, especially in small employers, can prevent a organization from setting up a Corporate Health Promotion Program. Reasons can include:

• lack of fiscal resources;
• lack of employee;
• lack of senior-level reinforcement;
• little knowledge of the wellness concept and;
• concern about making wellness available to all workers.

According to the Wellness Councils of America, some small corporation owners may have the wrong idea of what is involved in running a Worksite Wellness Program. Some employers aren’t convinced that a program would truly work and others feel that trying to change personal lifestyle behaviours is intruding and “none of their business”.  Maybe they do not know that it need not be costly and that they do not need special employee. They may not know that some employee would like to see some healthy changes and would help make things happen in their workplace.

It Can Be Done

Many small businesses have found ways to have a Corporate Wellness Program that works for them. They keep the expenditure and effort to a minimum and still have results that are positive for everyone. In 2006, Graham Lowe wrote a report on the best places to work in Calgary. He said that healthy workplaces frequently have a “positive workplace culture”.  In a workplace with a positive culture, individuals feel appreciated, valued, and trusted.

Dr. Lowe says it is easier for a small workplace to have a positive workplace culture than for a big workplace. Many employees prefer to work for a small organization, he says, because it provides more opportunities to work closely with others and develop a sense of community.

In his report, Dr. Lowe says the most thriving employers with fewer than 100 staff members have:

• great employee benefits;
• policies that reward a balance between work and personal life;
• flexible schedules;
• competitive salaries;
• great leadership with an emphasis on teamwork;
• environmentally responsible employer policies;
• procedures for seeking employee input; and
• a focus on placing employees’ personal well-being ahead of the personal gain of Senior Management.

All or most of these elements are also elements of a strong Employee Health Promotion Program.

Tips and Ideas

There are various ways to include wellness and health in a small business. You may not necessarily need a wellness professional or a fancy fitness center. What you do need is support from upper management and a Company Health Promotion Program Committee of a few committed people. Below are some ideas that your workplace can consider.

Communications and Promotion

• Send out a regular “wellness” newsletter on paper or internet based. Or send out a brief message such as the weekly Healthy U Hot Tip.
• Use promotions that are ready-designed, such as Healthy Workplace Week.

Active Living and Healthy Eating

• Urge employee to sign up for the Stairway to Health stair climbing contest.
• Provide pedometers for staff members and count their steps.
• Rent a nearby school or area gym and offer physical activity classes.
• Hire a local fitness instructor to give classes or lead stretch breaks. Expenses can be shared with staff members.
• Install secure bicycle parking.
• Serve healthy alternatives at organization gatherings and lunches.

Policy and Business Plans

• Enlist an ergonomics specialist to evaluate workstations.
• Foster policies to support work-life balance (for example, mandatory vacations, flextime, limits to work and e-mail on personal time).
• Provide a wellness subsidy for a variety of health and leadership activities and courses.
• Offer financial incentives to be healthy.
• Give wellness incentives and rewards as rewards and recognition for a job well done.
• Conduct an business health audit.
• Become a partner with the area (for example, daycare, gyms, festivals, parks, restaurants).
• Distribute the workload. Set up a Workplace Wellness Program Committee.

Small organizations may not have an abundance of time, money, or human resources(HR) available for a Company Wellness Program. But they often have a big advantage over big companies-a positive workplace culture. That is a good foundation for a Company Wellness Program. When employees are satisfied, enjoy their work environment, they are more advantageous, and tend to be healthier.  With a little creativity and passion, small organizations can cultivate successful Company Wellness Programs. Obtain backing from senior staff, form a Company Wellness Program Committee of two or more and discover the possibilities!