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.