Employee Wellness Newsletter : Employee Health Promotion Program Committee

Wellness committees are important in that they create a sense of ownership in the program, and facilitate various tasks involved in wellness programming at the worksite. The Employee Wellness Program Committee should be composed of a cross-section of workers representing various occupations, levels, and subgroups with the employer.

A common mistake is filling the Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee with the most health/fitness-conscious people in the employer. Don’t rely solely on volunteers to fill a Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee. Make sure that your Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee participants have enough power in the employer to run an effective wellness program.

The Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee is made up of staff members from the workplace. It oversees the wellness program and helps carry it out. The Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee should meet about once a month to review the previous month’s activities and plan future ones. When the program is just starting, the Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee may meet on a weekly basis until things get going.

Committee participants do not carry out medical care procedures, counsel clients, or handle confidential health information. Wellness professionals perform these tasks.

In general, the Company Health Promotion Program Committee’s duties fall into three areas: planning, promoting, and assisting to run programs.

Developing the programs can include:

• Finding space for activities
• Planning and organizing worksite-wide events such as contests
• Analyzing reports prepared by the program employee and making recommendations

Promoting the program can include:
• Recruiting staff members to take part in evaluation and health improvement programs
• Encouraging staff members to take part in follow-up counseling
• Organizing promotional strategies using newsletters, signs, bulletin boards, computers, and other media available within the worksite

Helping to run the program can include:
• Setting up equipment for various activities
• Helping to conduct workplace-wide activities
• Monitoring all activities and reviewing the performance of the professional employee
• Acting as wellness mentors to fellow employees

The size of the Corporate Wellness Program Committee will be dependent on the size of the organization. Pick participants by asking day management to nominate or appoint employees.

Make an announcement through handouts, memos, and gatherings to recruit potential participants. Explain the purpose of the Company Health Promotion Program Committee, duties and responsibilities, and the time commitment.

Recognize your Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee volunteers. Allow them to take part in programs at a reduced cost. Have appreciation breakfasts/lunches/dinners. Print names of Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee members on business communications about the wellness program.

Purchase special T-shirts, caps, and buttons for them. Write letters to supervisors saying that you appreciate the member’s service. Organize awards certificates for members.

The following can be used as a guide for Corporate Wellness Program Committee size:

• Less than 300 workers   2 to 4
• 300 to 1,000 staff members   4 to 6
• 1,000 workers or more   6 to 12