Health Wellness ProgramHealth and Wellness Programs and Wellness Program Consulting

Can a small company support workplace wellness? Most certainly! In fact, in some ways it is easier to set up a healthy workplace in a small company than in a large company.

Limited resources, especially in small corporations, can prevent a corporation from setting up a Workplace Wellness Program. Reasons can include:

• lack of budget resources;
• lack of employee;
• lack of senior-level reinforcement;
• little knowledge of the wellness concept and;
• concern about making wellness available to all employees.

According to the Wellness Councils of America, some small company owners may have a flawed idea of what is involved in having a Worksite Wellness Program. Some employers aren’t sure a program would truly work and others feel that trying to change personal lifestyle behaviours is intruding and “none of their business”.  Maybe they do not be aware of that it need not be costly and that they do not need special employee. They may not be aware that some employee would like to see some healthy changes and would help make things happen in their workplace.

It Can Be Done

Many small corporations have found ways to have a Corporate Wellness Program that works for them. They keep the expense and effort to a minimum and still have results that are positive for everyone. In 2006, Graham Lowe wrote a report on the best places to work in Calgary. He said that healthy workplaces frequently have a “positive workplace culture”.  In a workplace with a positive culture, people feel appreciated, valued, and trusted.

Dr. Lowe says it is easier for a small workplace to have a positive workplace culture than for a large workplace. Many workers prefer to work for a small company, he says, because it supplies more opportunities to work closely with others and cultivate a sense of community.

In his report, Dr. Lowe says the most successful businesses with fewer than 100 employees have:

• excellent employee benefits;
• policies that promote a balance between work and personal life;
• flexible schedules;
• competitive salaries;
• great leadership with an emphasis on teamwork;
• environmentally responsible business policies;
• procedures for seeking employee input; and
• a focus on placing employees’ personal well-being ahead of the personal gain of Senior Management.

All or most of these elements are also components of a strong Employee Wellness Program.

Tips and Ideas

There are multiple ways to include wellness and health in a small organization. You don’t necessarily need a wellness consultant or a fancy gym. What you do need is support from management and a Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee of a handful of committed people. Here are some ideas that your workplace can consider.

Communications and Promotion

• Send out a regular “wellness” newsletter on paper or web-based. Or send out a simple message such as the weekly Healthy U Hot Tip.
• Use promotions that are ready-designed, such as Healthy Workplace Week.

Active Living and Healthier Eating

• Encourage employee to sign up for the Stairway to Health stair climbing competition.
• Provide pedometers for workers and count their steps.
• Rent a nearby school or neighborhood health club and offer exercise classes.
• Bring in a local fitness instructor to give classes or lead stretch breaks. Expenses can be shared with staff members.
• Install secure bicycle parking.
• Offer healthy alternatives at employer meetings and lunches.

Policy and Business Initiatives

• Enlist an ergonomics specialist to assess workstations.
• Foster policies to support work-life balance (for example, mandatory vacations, flextime, limits to work and e-mail on personal time).
• Give a wellness subsidy for a variety of health and leadership activities and courses.
• Offer financial incentives to be healthy.
• Provide wellness incentives and rewards as rewards and recognition for a job well done.
• Conduct an organization health audit.
• Become a partner with the area (for example, daycare, gyms, festivals, parks, restaurants).
• Distribute the workload. Set up a Corporate Wellness Program Committee.

Small companies may not have much time, money, or human resources available for a Workplace Wellness Program. But they often have a big advantage over large companies-a beneficial workplace culture. That is a strong foundation for a Workplace Wellness Program. When employees are satisfied, enjoy their work environment, they are more advantageous, and tend to be healthier.  With a little creativity and passion, small companies can foster successful Workplace Wellness Programs. Get backing from senior staff, create a Workplace Wellness Program Committee of two or more and discover the possibilities!