Posts from — March 2009

Organizing an active Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee supplies opportunities for both management and employee involvement in the program.  The Committee must be a team of employees and managers who formally meet to plan activities to promote healthier employee lifestyles.

Typical Functions of a Company Wellness Program Committee:

• Reviewing needs & interests
• Brainstorming program ideas
• Starting activities
• Developing communication plans
• Promoting programs to co-workers
• Serving as champions of the Employee Wellness Programs
• Assisting with evaluation  

Your Employee Wellness Program Committee must be representative of all levels of the organization.  Consider all facets of the workforce – multiple sites, shift employees, diversity (race, gender, ethnicity), and departments.   It’s also significant to consider who will chair or co-chair the Employee Wellness Program Committee and whether or not there are the finances to support a Employee Wellness Program manager or occupational health consultant, even on a part-time or contractual basis.  Click here for more information on the advantages of a health consultant.  

Depending on your employer size and resources, if you already have a employer Safety Committee you might want to think about making it the Safety & Employee Wellness Program Committee.  You are able to request volunteers or invite staff members to take part.  

The number of Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee members depends on the size of your employer; however, you need a sufficient number of members to get the work done and yet not too many to keep it manageable, usually a minimum of 4 members and maximum of 12 to 15 members.  It’s valuable to include skeptics of wellness as well and not just those staff members already living healthy lifestyles.  

Depending on your worksite, consider representatives from the following areas:

• Employee representatives from a cross section of different departments,
• Senior Leadership
• Health and safety consultant(s),
• Human Resources (HR) professional(s),
• Employee benefits representative or someone from finance,
• Your Employee Assistance Program(EAP) provider (if applicable), Click here for more information on EAPs
• Occupational health employee (if applicable).

Establish an effective Company Health Promotion Program Committee!  The Company Health Promotion Program Committee must meet on a regular basis with a planned agenda and action items.  Successful Wellness Committees have a shared mission, vision and objectives.  Participants must believe that their participation is worthwhile and appreciated, that their work is important, benefits the organization and co-staff members, and they are appreciated for their contributions. Refer to the NC Workplace Programs section for examples of what other corporations have implemented.