Employee Health Promotion

Hollywood Stars or American Celebrities

This is another fun exercise focusing on healthy weight loss or maintenance.

• Participants choose a secret code name (the name of a Hollywood star or other celebrity).
• Participants weigh in with a “trusted” confident privately – at which time a healthy weight objective is set for the period of the contest.
• Display a chart with everyone’s secret name assigning each a initial weight of zero.
• Participants weigh themselves weekly and submit the weight with their code name on the sheet.
• Weight is given in relation to a beginning weight of zero. For example +4 would mean a weight gain of four pounds; while –2 would indicate a weight loss of two pounds.
• Future weigh-ins ought to be in relation to the starting weight, not the previous week’s weight.
• The chart is kept up to date and put up in public by the Employee Health Promotion Committee.
• Display a “weight management hint of the week” next to the tracking chart.
• Provide “take one” handouts on weight management education or motivational tips by the chart.
• Celebrate employee progress at the end of the exercise.

Wellness Book/Journal Club and/or Book Exchange

Similar to any other book discussion group, the readings and focus of this group is health. With a broad “health” definition, a myriad of topics might be appropriate including communication, self-improvement, relationships, money management, environment, ecology, recreation, cooking, etc. Let the group choose the issues and books. Another suggested idea is to establish a book swap area where readers can trade the book(s) for those that others have left for trade.

Pre-Work Stretching Group

A few minutes of gentle stretching is a great way to safely begin work. A certified fitness instructor may be brought in to instruct proper stretching techniques. Following this, most often an internal group can meet and run independently. Provide periodic refresher sessions with the trainer or instructor to change up the routine and help keep participants motivated. Considerations for worksite stretching:

• See that you work with your Senior Leadership Team for stretching endorsement.
• Stretches ought to be taught by a knowledgeable and qualified person.
• Although pre-work stretches are done on an employee’s personal time, the question of business liability will probably arise, especially if someone reports an associated muscular injury. Check with your employer’s legal counsel and/or contact your business workers’ compensation authority to help in design of an employee release of liability waiver.

Worksite Chair Massage

Bring in a certified massage therapist to provide chair massage at the employees’ expense. These massages are done completely clothed with the recipient seated in a chair. The therapist brings in a special chair that completely supports the neck and shoulders while an upper body massage is given. Sessions are generally 15 minutes, with a mean cost between $12.00 – $15.00 for each session. Post a sign up sheet with appointments at intervals recommended by the therapist. Be sure the therapist is certified. It will be crucial to offer a private space. A group of “regulars” may evolve which might establish a regular massage schedule. Get an agreement with upper management so employees can trade massage time for coffee or personal break time. Note: upper management may want the therapist to supply proof of liability insurance.

Art at Work

Art can be a good way to nurture employees’ creative side and allow them to manage stress at the same time. Bring in various art and craft supplies once a month and allow the creative juices flow. If participants are willing, have a temporary “art show” later that day. Or, feature employee creativity during certain months or times of the year. Encourage employees to display their art in their personal work areas.

Healthy Email-a-Week

Create an email list of coworkers who want to receive an inspirational, humorous or educational health quote, thought, tip or idea once a week by email. Ask members of the Employee Health Promotion Committee to gather ideas initially, and then ask the members of the email list to offer ideas and information as time goes on. Adhere to all business rules concerning work time and email protocols.

Hobby Show or Demonstrations

Hobbies are great stress management tools. Encourage employees to display their talents by sponsoring a “hobby fair” or demonstration. Distribute a sign up sheet. See who would be willing to bring in samples of their hobby, and perhaps even do a live demonstration. Fairs or demonstrations can be scheduled as a group exercise or brown bag that allows interested employees to interact. Or, hobby sharing is able to be done in groupings by topic over a scheduled period of time, providing for a brief presentation and/or demonstration on the part of the hobbyist.

Brown bag presentations are a great way to create awareness about selected health issues. Community health professionals will often offer presentations of a half hour or less at no charge. Use employee interest surveys to follow up on employee interests that are expressed. The definition of health is broad, so brown bag presentations may also cover a wide variety of issues. Topics may include physical, mental, emotional, women’s health, men’s health, financial health, etc. Considerations for brown bag presentations:

• Brown bag sessions are good for awareness building. This seed planting process can help employees become more proactive about healthy choices.
• Do not schedule the program for the full hour – usually 40 minutes or so works best. This will give folks a chance to come and go, grab a quick bite, ask questions, etc.
• If the subject matter is of a sensitive nature, such as domestic violence, substance abuse, etc., people may be reluctant to attend for fear of being associated publicly with the issue. They will, however, show up if the focus is on supporting family members, coworkers, etc.
• Ensure that employees hear valuable information and will leave with tools and resources to carry out the message. Work with the presenter on information strategies that work for your employee group.
• Promotional materials ought to publicize the program with a name that speaks to the brown bag focus. Include all other pertinent information such as where, who, when, etc.
• Some issues that can’t be covered in one session could be available in a short series. It will work best to schedule one session each week rather than several sessions in one week. For example, you might offer a 3-week series on healthy eating rather than trying to cram all the information into one session.
• A catchy title can draw people to the event. An example of this might include calling lunchtime presentations “Noonlighting”
• If possible, offer a no cost healthy snack for employees who attend.
• To maintain momentum, try setting up a routine monthly time and day for lunchtime classes.
• If employees work in shift or are in work groups in different geographical locations, establish a plan that offers equal attendance opportunity to all.

Resources:

1. 1. Check the idea list at the end of this guide which offers a variety of resource issues of interest to employees.
2. 2. Every area has a myriad of individuals, experts, or specialists from voluntary groups (heart, cancer, lung associations), special interest groups (Y’s, Red Cross, Weight Watcher’s, Safety Council, Alcoholics Anonymous), or the local health department as possibilities to lead worksite sessions at no cost or at a low cost. Many of these contacts might also offer inexpensive materials.
3. 3. Topic videos can be used for a brown bag session.