Posted by admin | Posted in Employee Wellness, wellness program | Posted on 08-09-2010
Health Promotion committees are important in that they develop a sense of ownership in the health promotion program, and facilitate various tasks involved in health promotion programming at the worksite.
The committee must be composed of a cross-section of employees representing various occupations, levels, and subgroups with the corporation.
A common mistake is filling the committee with the most health/fitness-conscious people in the business. Do not rely solely on volunteers to fill a committee. Be sure that your committee members have enough power in the business to run an effective wellness program.
The wellness committee is made up of employees from the workplace. It oversees the health promotion program and helps carry it out.
The committee should meet about once a month to review the previous month’s activities and plan future ones. When the health promotion program is just beginning, the committee may meet on a weekly basis until things get going.
Committee members don’t carry out medical procedures, counsel clients, or handle confidential medical information. Health Promotion professionals perform these tasks.
In general, the committee’s duties fall into three areas – planning, promoting, and assisting to run health promotion programs.
Developing the wellness programs can include –
• Locating space for activities
• Developing and organizing workplace-wide events like contests
• Assessing reports prepared by the health promotion program staff and making recommendations
Promoting the wellness program can include –
• Recruiting staff members to take part in screening and health promotion programs
• Encouraging workers to take part in follow-up counseling
• Organizing promotional strategies using newsletters, signs, bulletin boards, computers, and other media available within the worksite
Assisting to run the wellness program can include –
• Establishing up equipment for various activities
• Helping to conduct worksite-wide activities
• Monitoring all activities and analyzing the performance of the professional staff
• Acting as wellness mentors to fellow staff
The size of the wellness committee will be dependent on the size of the organization. Pick members by asking day management to nominate or appoint workers.
Make an announcement through flyers, memos, and meetings to recruit potential members. Explain the purpose of the committee, duties and responsibilities, and the time commitment.
Recognize your wellness committee volunteers. Allow them to take part in health promotion programs at a decreased cost. Hold appreciation breakfasts/lunches/dinners.
Print names of committee members on organization communications about the wellness program.
Buy special T-shirts, caps, and buttons for them. Write letters to supervisors saying that you appreciate the member’s service. Create awards certificates for members.
The following could be used as a guide for committee size –
• Less than 300 employees 2 to 4
• 300 to 1,000 employees 4 to 6
• 1,000 workforce or more 6 to 12