Health and Wellness Leads : Worksite Wellness Program: Select and Launch a Program  

Armed with data, Worksite Health Promotion Program topic preferences and objectives – and a Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee eager to get things done – it is now time to decide how best to take action.  This website supports tools to help you!  You can read about the different types of wellness programs offered by other organizations to get an idea of what could possibly prove effective for your company.  There are Statewide Resources listed as well as national non-profit groups offering resources, and specific examples of resources available on various wellness subject matters.  In addition, keep looking under Steps to an Effective Program for ideas to get you started!

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

Important Corporate Health Promotion Program considerations include:

1. Formally Introduce the Corporate Wellness Program and consider policy statements that state the importance of the wellness program.  Examples include a general policy concerning 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 productive if your staff members don’t know about it or do not understand the options or how to take part.  Communicate your wellness program using a variety of methods to make sure the message and “how-to’s” are heard!

   Worksite Health Promotion Program Communication Strategies might 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 Program Incentives:  You will be amazed to discover what people will do for a free T-shirt.  Incentives have the potential to both support and innervate participation among employees.  Consider both formal or corporation incentives and rewards and informal or program rewards/prizes from local resources to reinforce participation in Employee Wellness Programs. Either way, it’s important to offer incentives and rewards that are attractive and meaningful to your employees.

   Formal Worksite Health Promotion Program Incentives:

   • Savings on employee health care 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
   
   • gym/Fitness Center discounts or enrollment fee coverage
   • Public transportation vouchers
   • Flexible work time options
   • “Wellness Days” off work  

   Prizes or Informal Workplace Health Promotion Program Incentives:

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

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

5. Launch 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.