Employee Wellness Newsletter : Corporate Wellness Program Ideas: Volume Two

Walking Club

Walking clubs or “trekking” can either be done in real time (by scheduling walking groups), or clubs can be set it up so people do their walking on their own and keep a shared log at work. Following a certain number of miles or steps are logged, staff members are eligible for membership into the walking “club” and receive something like a prize (a walking pin, similar to the ones that volkswalkers get, or a certificate of membership). Ways to continue interest in walking groups include:

• Regualr announcements about area walking activities. Keep abreast of activities in the area, Parks & Recreation programs, available tracks, inside walking options, volkswalking activities, etc.
• Periodic information specific to walkers; such as what to look for when buying a pair of walking shoes.
• Consider a worksite team to participate in a local fundraiser walk, such as the March of Dimes walk.
• A walking club can be the kind of “club” that never really meets, or it can be the kind that does support the option for those who are interested in group walks and activities.

Health Awareness Video Programming

Many wonderful health related videos and DVDs are available through loan programs either at no or low expenditures. Choose video programming based on employee interests and needs.

• Schedule periodic health video viewings at lunchtime brown bag sessions.
• The videos can be related to health or other related wellness subject matters like financial planning, caring for aging parents, or even humor as a “break” from the work routine.
• Preview videos before showing them to insure they are appropriate, not too long, etc.
• Have a Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee Host moderate the viewing, greet individuals, and lead a brief discussion after the video. Develop one or two questions for discussion after previewing the video and use these to lead the discussion. Many health videos come with group discussion questions.
• Supply a pertinent educational handouts for participants to take with them for more information on the topic.
• If possible, provide popcorn or fruit as a snack.
• Provide a prize drawing (or points if you are doing that kind of incentive program) for those attending the video program and discussion.

Wellness Mentors

Every workplace generally has at least a couple of staff members who have successfully made changes in their health. Often, other staff members will relate to one of their peers. Peer support can go a long ways in encouraging healthy changes.

• Seek volunteers from the work force who have experienced a disease resulting from an unhealthy behavior, or survived or recovered from a disease that just happens like breast cancer, and who have successfully made positive changes.
• Connect these success story workers with workers struggling with similar health issues.
• Both employees participating in the mentoring process are doing so on a voluntary basis. Respect the privacy of this very special relationship.
• A Employee Health Promotion Program Committee person can be involved from a peripheral standpoint, and be available to share other resources that might be valuable to both staff members.