Employee Health Promotion

Every worksite will have employees who will not participate in available worksite wellness activities. But these same employees may be following a myriad of healthy practices in their daily living. A great wellness program ought to give these individuals credit and recognition for their great work. Recognition of healthy goal setting and goal achievement is a great approach for reinforcing what individuals are doing on their own outside of work, and for reaching those who do not like group activities. Suggested steps for individual goals/objectives and recognition include:

• A form employees can fill out which includes the set objective(s) and a target date for completion.
• Information on setting realistic goals/objectives, as individuals often overestimate what they can do and by when. It’s great to remind employees “baby steps” count!
• Maintain a confidential file of the submitted employee objective forms in a dated “tickler” system.
• Send a reminder to each employee at the time of each member’s objective date. This reminder might be a copy of their original objective form. Ask for employee’s feedback regarding their objective(s): completed the objective, need an extension, or have discontinued the objective.
• When the form is returned from an employee

1. 1. If an employee has completed the objective, a certificate of completion is received along with a prize or incentive item linked to the objective (if possible).
2. 2. If the employee renegotiates the deadline or the objective, the form is re-filed for future follow-up. Continue to advocate the employee.
3. 3. If the objective is canceled, send a note acknowledging this “good try” and advocate the employee to try again when the timing is right.

Allow those interested in this process to set goals/objectives any time and as often as they want.

Walking Club

Walking clubs or “trekking” can either be done in real time (by scheduling walking groups), or clubs can be set it up so individuals do their walking on their own and keep a shared log at work. Following a certain number of miles or steps are logged, employees are eligible for membership into the walking “club” and receive something like a prize (a walking pin, similar to the ones that volkswalkers get, or a certificate of membership). Ways to continue interest in walking groups include:

• Regualr announcements about area walking programs. Keep abreast of programs in the area, Parks & Recreation programs, available tracks, inside walking options, volkswalking programs, etc.
• Regualr information specific to walkers; such as what to look for when buying a pair of walking shoes.
• Consider a worksite group to participate in a local fundraiser walk, such as the March of Dimes walk.
• A walking club can be the kind of “club” that never really meets, or it can be the kind that does offer the option for those who are interested in group walks and programs.

Health Awareness Video Programming

Many great health related videos and DVDs are available through loan programs either at no or low costs. Select video programming based on employee interests and needs.

• Have periodic health video viewings at lunchtime brown bag sessions.
• The videos can be related to health or other related wellness issues like financial planning, caring for aging parents, or even humor as a “break” from the work routine.
• Preview videos before showing them to insure they are appropriate, not too long, etc.
• Have a Employee Health Promotion Committee Host moderate the viewing, greet individuals, and lead a brief discussion after the video. Design one or two questions for discussion after previewing the video and use these to lead the discussion. Many health videos come with group discussion questions.
• Supply a pertinent educational handouts for participants to take with them for more information on the topic.
• If possible, offer popcorn or fruit as a snack.
• Provide a prize drawing (or points if you are doing that kind of incentive program) for those attending the video program and discussion.

Wellness Mentors

Every worksite generally has at least a couple of employees who have successfully made changes in their health. Often, other employees will relate to one of their peers. Peer backing can go a long ways in encouraging healthy changes.

• Seek volunteers from the work force who have experienced a disease resulting from an unhealthy behavior, or survived or recovered from a disease that just happens like breast cancer, and who have successfully made positive changes.
• Associate these success story employees with employees struggling with similar health problems.
• Both employees participating in the mentoring process are doing so on a voluntary basis. Respect the privacy of this very special relationship.
• A Employee Health Promotion Committee person can be involved from a peripheral standpoint, and be available to share other resources that might be valuable to both employees.