Health Wellness ProgramHealth and Wellness Programs and Wellness Program Consulting

A vital first step in organizing your company’s wellness program is the formation of a wellness committee.  The focus of the wellness committee is to plan, promote, and implement the wellness program.

The committee establishes continuity, motivation, and wide ownership of the health promotion program as well as provides an excellent car for communication.

So who must be on the committee? Consider appointing the following people /departments to your committee –

• executive management within your business

• Union representatives

• Human resources  department

• Staff Member assistance program

• Information technology

• Communications

• Health and safety department

• Employees interested in wellness

Building a successful health promotion program requires staff time in addition to money. Some larger businesses may spend 20 hours per week for three to six months preparing all the steps before launching a health promotion program.

Anywhere from 4 to 10 individuals  meeting monthly is equivalent to a wellness committee. A mission statement for the committee must be developed by the second meeting. This way, everyone knows what the committee is working toward.

Once a wellness program has been established, the committee’s size and meeting schedule may change. Still, no fewer than 4 members should meet at least quarterly so the group – and the wellness program – does not fade away.