Health Wellness ProgramHealth and Wellness Programs and Wellness Program Consulting

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

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

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

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

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

Starting the programs can include:

• Finding space for activities
• Planning and organizing worksite-wide activities 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 screening 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 workplace

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

The size of the Employee Health Promotion Program Committee will be dependent on the size of the business. Pick participants by asking day management to nominate or appoint workers.

Make an announcement through flyers, memos, and gatherings to recruit potential participants. Explain the purpose of the Corporate Wellness Program Committee, duties and responsibilities, and the time commitment.

Recognize your Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee volunteers. Allow them to participate in programs at a reduced cost. Have appreciation breakfasts/lunches/dinners. Print names of Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee members on employer 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. Create awards certificates for participants.

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

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