Health Handouts : Corporate Wellness Program: Form a Corporate Wellness Program Committee  

Organizing an active Employee Wellness Program Committee provides opportunities for both management and employee participation in the program.  The Wellness Committee ought to be a team of staff members and managers who formally meet to plan activities to promote healthier employee lifestyles.

Typical Functions of a Corporate Wellness Program Committee:

• Reviewing needs & interests
• Brainstorming program ideas
• Beginning activities
• Creating communication plans
• Promoting programs to co-employees
• Serving as champions of the Worksite Wellness Programs
• Assisting with assessment  

Your Corporate Wellness Program Committee ought to be representative of all levels of the employer.  Consider all areas of the workforce – multiple sites, shift staff members, diversity (race, gender, ethnicity), and departments.   It’s also valuable to consider who will chair or co-chair the Corporate Wellness Program Committee and whether or not there are the finances to support a Corporate Wellness Program manager or occupational health professional, even on a part-time or contractual basis.  Click here for more information on the benefits of a health professional.  

Depending on your business size and resources, if you already have a business Safety Committee you might want to consider making it the Safety & Company Wellness Program Committee.  You have the potential to request volunteers or invite workers to take part.  

The number of Employee Wellness Program Committee members depends on the size of your business; however, you need enough members to get the work done and yet not too many to keep it manageable, usually at least 4 members and maximum of 12 to 15 members.  It’s important to include skeptics of wellness as well and not just those staff members already practicing healthy lifestyles.  

Depending on your worksite, consider representatives from the following areas:

• Employee representatives from a cross section of different departments,
• Senior Leadership
• Health and safety consultant(s),
• Human resources professional(s),
• Employee benefits representative or someone from finance,
• Your Employee Assistance Program provider (if applicable), Click here for more information on EAPs
• Occupational health employee (if applicable).

Establish an effective Employee Health Promotion Program Committee!  The Employee Health Promotion Program Committee ought to meet often with a planned agenda and action items.  Successful Wellness Committees have a shared mission, vision and goals/objectives.  Participants must believe that their participation is worthwhile and appreciated, that their work is significant, benefits the organization and co-employees, and they are appreciated for their contributions. Refer to the NC Workplace Programs section for examples of what other organizations have implemented.