Health Handouts : Company Health Promotion Program Committee

Wellness committees are valuable in that they establish a sense of ownership in the program, and facilitate various tasks involved in wellness programming at the workplace. The Worksite Wellness Program Committee ought to be composed of a cross-section of employees representing various occupations, levels, and subgroups with the business.

A common mistake is filling the Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee with the most health/fitness-conscious people in the business. Don’t rely solely on volunteers to fill a Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee. Make sure that your Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee members have sufficient authority in the business to run an effective wellness program.

The Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee is made up of workers from the worksite. It oversees the wellness program and helps carry it out. The Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee should meet about once a month to review the previous month’s activities and plan future ones. When the program is just starting, the Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee may meet on a weekly basis until things get going.

Committee members do not carry out health care procedures, counsel clients, or handle confidential health information. Wellness professionals perform these tasks.

In general, the Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee’s duties fall into three areas: planning, promoting, and assisting to run programs.

Creating the programs can include:

• Finding space for activities
• Beginning and organizing worksite-wide events such as contests
• Reviewing reports prepared by the program employee and making recommendations

Promoting the program can include:
• Recruiting employees to take part in screening and health improvement programs
• Encouraging staff members to take part in follow-up counseling
• Organizing promotional strategies using newsletters, signs, bulletin boards, computers, and other media available within the workplace

Helping to run the program can include:
• Setting up equipment for various activities
• Helping to conduct worksite-wide activities
• Monitoring all activities and reviewing the performance of the professional employee
• Acting as wellness mentors to fellow employees

The size of the Company Health Promotion Program Committee will be dependent on the size of the organization. Pick members by asking day management to nominate or appoint employees.

Make an announcement through brochures, memos, and gatherings to recruit potential members. Explain the purpose of the Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee, duties and responsibilities, and the time responsibility.

Recognize your Worksite Wellness Program Committee volunteers. Allow them to participate in programs at a reduced cost. Hold appreciation breakfasts/lunches/dinners. Print names of Worksite Wellness Program Committee participants on employer communications about the wellness program.

Purchase special T-shirts, caps, and buttons for them. Write letters to supervisors saying that you appreciate the member’s service. Organize awards certificates for participants.

The following can be used as a guide for Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee size:

• Less than 300 workers   2 to 4
• 300 to 1,000 staff members   4 to 6
• 1,000 staff members or more   6 to 12