Health Handouts : Establish a Company Wellness Program Committee

A vital first step in organizing your company’s wellness program is the formation of a Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee. The focus of the Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee is to plan, promote, and implement the program. The Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee establishes continuity, motivation, and broad ownership of the program as well as supplies an great vehicle for communication.

So who ought to be on the Company Health Promotion Program Committee? Consider appointing the following people/departments to your Company Health Promotion Program Committee:

• Senior Management within your organization
• Union representatives
• Human resources department
• Employee Assistance Program(EAP)
• Information technology
• Communications
• Health and safety department
• staff members interested in health and wellbeing

Building a successful Workplace Wellness Program requires employee time as well as money. Some larger employers may spend 20 hours per week for three to six months preparing all the steps prior to kicking off a Workplace Wellness Program.

Anywhere from 4 to 10 people meeting monthly equals a Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee. A mission statement for the Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee should be developed by the second meeting. This way, everyone knows what the Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee is working toward.

Once a wellness program has been established, the committee’s size and meeting schedule may change. Still, no fewer than 4 members must meet at least quarterly so the group – and the wellness program – does not fade away.