Wellness Plans : Wellness Program Implementation .

Armed with data, Wellness Program topic preferences, objectives, and objectives – and a Wellness Committee rearing to get things done – it is now time to decide how best to take action.  This website provides tools to help you!  

You can peruse about the different kinds of health promotion programs offered by other businesses to get an idea of what might work for your corporation.  

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

Important Health Promotion Program considerations include –  

1. Formally Introduce the Wellness Program and consider policy statements that state the importance of the health promotion program.  Examples include a general policy regarding the commitment to staff member safety and health as well as specific policies such as No Tobacco use, Healthful Eating and Exercise.

2. Communicate Your Program –  the best planned health promotion program with excellent health promotion programs won’t be advantageous if your staff members do not know about it or do not understand the choices or how to participate.  Communicate your health promotion program using a selection of methods to ensure the message and “how-to’s” are heard!

Wellness Program Communication Strategies could include –

• Newsletter articles

• Postings on the corporation’s intranet or internet

• A designated Champion of the wellness program

• Formal or informal meeting to announce health promotion program, “the kick-off”

• pamphlets / table tents,

• Bulletin boards / kiosk where all material is promoted or found,

• Email / phone messages,

• Mailings or distributions  

3. Use Wellness Program Incentives –  You’ll be amazed to find out what people  will do for a free T-shirt.  Incentives can both support and motivate participation among staff.  

Consider both formal or organization incentives and informal or wellness program rewards/prizes from local resources to reinforce participation in Wellness Programs. Either way, it is crucial to provide incentives that are attractive and meaningful to your workers.

Company Structural or Formal Wellness Program Incentives –

• Discounts 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 medical plan incentive ideas

• Health Club/Health Club discounts or enrollment fee coverage

• Public transportation vouchers

• Flexible work time options

• “Wellness Days” off work  

Rewards/Prizes or Informal Wellness Program Incentives –

• Cash – a very effective incentive!

• Prize incentives such as gift certificates to heart healthful restaurants; music player to use while exercising, emergency kits, or any other prizes that would motivate your staff members.

• T-Shirts, water bottles, or other inexpensive rewards

4. Assess community resources available to provide some wellness services.  The local health department or your company health care provider might  be able to assist you with this information.  There are also vendors throughout the State providing great wellness services for companies. They’re available to help you strategize and find the best options available.

5. Implement your health promotion 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.