I have worked for the same organization for almost 15 years and, during that time, I have had many responsibilities. The one responsibility I am most passionate about is being a part of our company’s wellness initiatives.
You know, most of us spend a minimum of eight hours a day at work. Many of us feel torn between work, family responsibilities and taking care of ourselves. Having a well rounded wellness program can help employees keep their focus on a healthier lifestyle.
There are many benefits to having a company wellness program. Research shows that companies establishing a culture of wellness may see a reduction in the following:
- absenteeism
- health benefits
- workers’ compensation claims
- disability claims
To business owners that think their business is too small to incorporate a wellness initiative, I say think again! Whether you run a small or large business, there are many things you can do to make wellness a priority in your workplace. A recent article by David Hunnicutt, Ph. D., published by Wellness Council of America (WECOA), introduces “Ten Essential Things Small Business Can Do to Promote Better Health.”
- Issue a letter of support from the CEO – This will set the tone for the entire initiative.
- Designate a company wellness leader – Identify someone from within your organization who can take on the responsibility or organizing the wellness initiative. This might be your HR representative or an employee with a passion for wellness.
- Conduct an employee health interest survey – Create a survey to get insight to what programs your employees are most interested in. Don’t try and guess what your employees needs are.
- Provide an opportunity for health screening – Employees need to assess their own health status to determine health risks they may face in the future.
- Administer an annual physical activity campaign – Create a campaign to get your employees active. Make it fun and offer incentives for participation.
- Hold lunch and learns – Hold lunch time seminars about health related topics that are identified on your survey as areas of interest. Many times, you can find professionals in your community that offer these services free of charge.
- Establish an in-house wellness library – Provide resources such as self-care books, wellness related magazines, informational pamphlets and behavioral change guides. Also, if you have a health care provider, check to see what resources they have available.
- Disseminate a quarterly health newsletter – Create a newsletter that covers health topics of interest. Make topics easy to read.
- Implement health promoting policies – Consider creating policies which demonstrate the company’s commitment to wellness. Example policies include a tobacco free work environment, drug/alcohol free work environment, seatbelt safety, and emergency preparedness.
- Promote community health efforts – Support community events that are health related such as educational seminars and walks/runs. This is a great way to incorporate not only wellness but also community involvement in to your workplace.
Need more information? There is a ton of wellness-related resources out on the Internet. One resource that I have found to be beneficial is www.welcoa.org. Although, full access does require a membership fee, a free two-week trial membership is offered to first-time visitors. Also, some of their resources are available without membership. Another recommendation is, look for local resources and networking opportunities in your area. Many cities are creating wellness coalitions to advocate health and wellness. In Houston, check out www.houstonwellness.org.
Make wellness a priority in your business! It’s well worth the effort!
“The greatest wealth is health." --- Virgil
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