Health Handouts : Workplace Wellness Programs: Small vs. Big Organization Options

Can a small employer support workplace wellness? Absolutely! In fact, in some ways it is easier to create a healthy workplace in a small employer than in a large employer.

Limited resources, especially in small businesses, can keep a company from setting up a Corporate Health Promotion Program. Reasons can include:

• lack of fiscal resources;
• lack of employee;
• lack of senior-level backing;
• little knowledge of the wellness concept and;
• problem about making wellness available to all employees.

According to the Wellness Councils of America, some small organization owners may have a flawed idea of what is involved in running a Company Health Promotion Program. Some employers aren’t certain that a program would truly work and others feel that trying to change personal lifestyle behaviours is intruding and “none of their business”.  Perhaps they do not understand that it need not be costly and that they do not need special employee. They may not realize that some employee would like to see some healthy changes and would help make things happen in their workplace.

It Can Be Accomplished

Many small businesses have found ways to have a Employee Wellness Program that works for them. They keep the expense and effort to a minimum and still have results that are beneficial for everyone. In 2006, Graham Lowe wrote a report on the best places to work in Calgary. He said that healthy workplaces often have a “positive workplace culture”.  In a workplace with a beneficial culture, people feel appreciated, valued, and trusted.

Dr. Lowe says it is easier for a small workplace to have a beneficial workplace culture than for a large workplace. Many staff members prefer to work for a small corporation, he says, because it supplies more opportunities to work closely with others and develop a sense of community.

In his report, Dr. Lowe says the most efficacious employers with fewer than 100 workers have:

• excellent employee benefits;
• policies that promote a balance between work and personal life;
• flexible schedules;
• competitive salaries;
• great leadership with an emphasis on teamwork;
• environmentally responsible corporation policies;
• procedures for seeking employee input; and
• a focus on placing employees’ personal wellbeing ahead of the personal gain of Senior Management.

All or most of these elements are also pieces of a good Employee Wellness Program.

Tips and Ideas

There are multiple ways to include wellness and health in a small organization. You do not necessarily need a wellness professional or a fancy fitness center. What you do need is backing from senior staff and a Workplace Wellness Program Committee of a few committed people. Here are some ideas that your workplace can consider.

Communications and Promotion

• Send out a regular “wellness” newsletter on paper or online. Or send out a simple message such as the weekly Healthy U Hot Tip.
• Utilized promotions that are already designed, such as Healthy Workplace Week.

Active Living and Healthy Eating

• Encourage employee to sign up for the Stairway to Health stair climbing contest.
• Get pedometers for employees and track their steps.
• Rent a nearby school or community gym and offer physical activity classes.
• Bring in a local fitness instructor to give classes or lead stretch breaks. Expenditures can be shared with workers.
• Install secure bike parking.
• Offer healthy alternatives at company meetings and lunches.

Policy and Company Plans

• Hire an ergonomics expert to evaluate workstations.
• Create policies to support work-life balance (for example, mandatory vacations, flextime, limits to work and e-mail on personal time).
• Give a wellness subsidy for a variety of health and leadership activities and courses.
• Provide monetary rewards and incentives to be healthy.
• Provide wellness incentives and rewards as rewards and recognition for a job well done.
• Conduct an company health audit.
• Become a partner with the neighborhood (for example, daycare, gyms, festivals, parks, restaurants).
• Distribute the workload. Set up a Employee Health Promotion Program Committee.

Small corporations may not have much time, money, or human resources available for a Workplace Health Promotion Program. But they often have a huge advantage over big companies-a positive workplace culture. That is a good foundation for a Workplace Health Promotion Program. When employees are satisfied, enjoy their work environment, they are more advantageous, and tend to be healthier.  With a bit of creativity and passion, small corporations can advance thriving Workplace Health Promotion Programs. Get backing from senior staff, establish a Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee of two or more and discover the possibilities!