Health Wellness ProgramHealth and Wellness Programs and Wellness Program Consulting

Set-up and offer “free” health information resources as part of the overriding workplace wellness strategy. Reliable information is available no cost, or at very low cost, through a myriad of resource areas. Ideas and resources will be suggested here. Also review the Resource and Website listings at the end of this guide for more ideas and resources.

Wellness Bulletin Board Ideas

Most workplaces have at least one employee bulletin board located in a central area. Obtain permission to use part of that bulletin board as the “Wellness Corner”, or obtain management approval to set up a bulletin board dedicated to wellness. Wellness bulletin board suggestions include:

• White 8 1/2″ x 11″ brochures will be ignored. Use color or nonstandard size and shape when possible.
• Change your bulletin boards frequently. If they remain the same too long, they become “white noise.”
• Play “Dialing for Dollars” to expand bulletin board attention. Make a random phone call and ask an employee to name the health fact of the day as listed on the health bulletin board. Award nominal prizes to winners. Use an “activities calendar” with targeted advertisements, football schedules, recipes, etc. that will advocate keeping the calendar updated and utilized.

Wellness Library

Create a wellness program library in a central area that has easy employee access. Resources and ideas for the wellness library might include:

• A local health resources guide with referral lists to help employees hook up with resources if onsite resources cannot be provided. Keep referral lists in a 3-ring binder and update monthly.
• A brief, periodic wellness newsletter or update flyer distributed to employees via their paycheck or department gatherings.
• A variety of consumer books, magazines, videos, and articles related to great health. Solicit employee donations of current titles and recyclable items. Encourage staff members to checkout materials for loan. Update resources regularly.
• Healthy resources are available at local libraries. Publicize those resources within your onsite wellness library.
• Health magazines can be kept in the employee break area.
• Create a consumer health information bin that is updated with articles and pertinent information regarding consumerism and health care. Check the resource listings at the end of this guide for more ideas.
• Free brochures materials can be obtained from local non-profit agencies (American Red Cross, Heart Association, Cancer Society, Lung Association), and made available in employee areas. See website listings and other resources in the back of this guide for more ideas regarding no cost health resources.

New Year’s Resolution Bulletin Board

• Have staff members voluntarily write down their health-related New Year’s resolutions on 3″ x 5″ index cards with their names on the back.
• Display the cards in the form of a collage on the wellness bulletin board.
• Leave the cards up for about two weeks, and then store them in a secure wellness file.
• Display the cards near the end of February to remind workers of their goals and objectives and self-commitments.
• Take the cards down again after another week and again store in a secure file.
• Mail the cards back to the people along with wellness program promotions or other information announcements at the end of March.
• During the year, continue to provide wellness opportunities, reinforcement groups, or related activities.