Given that there are so many different ways to approach wellness incentive programs these days, any manager might feel lost in a sea of options all with varying returns. Many organizations started discussing the need for implementing a wellness program as long term research was published showing wellness incentives, on average, generate a $3 return for each dollar invested. One thing that these companies have in common is that leaders realize the need to design a wellness program that encourages and maximizes participation. The following tips can be used to elicit a stronger acceptance and participation rate in any wellness initiative.
Gather Employee Feedback on What the Wellness Program should Entail
The best way to make a wellness program relevant to employees is to ask them what kinds of health and wellness goals the company should help staff members achieve. Wellness incentive programs can assist employees in many ways; from adopting healthy eating and exercise habits to helping staff with smoking cessation and stress management. By gathering feedback on what your employees specifically would like included in the wellness program, your company can better support their health and wellness goals while effectively maximizing participation.
Provide Convenient Access to Wellness Program Information
Most of my clients have taken their wellness programs online so that employees can access information about the program anytime, anywhere. Besides visiting the wellness program website, employers can disseminate wellness information through a well-informed management team and by posting wellness program news in break rooms and in the Human Resources Office. Depending on your employee demographics and their comfort level with computers, companies need to determine the most convenient ways staff members will be able to access wellness program information in order to maximize involvement.
Hold a Variety of Wellness Events
There are many types of wellness events that organizations can hold but the key to these events is to create a network of support for employees. One common wellness event is a workshop where employees are informed on a variety of health related topics. Another wellness event is the brown bag luncheon which encourages workers to bring a healthy and homemade lunch to work typically one day out of the week. Organizations can ask workers to share their healthy recipes and helps employees to trade their good eating tips with co-workers.
Additionally, company sponsored walks and runs are a great way for employers to create teams of employees who can participate in an event often benefiting a charity. Lastly, lunch and learns are wellness events where companies provide a healthy lunch and while employees dine-in, health and wellness topics are presented and discussed. When people feel that they are taking on an objective alone, they are much less likely to achieve the objective. These wellness events are all optional but offer employees the opportunity to find co-workers who are interested in similar health and wellness goals thus encouraging teamwork and participation.
Award Lifestyle, Brand Name Wellness Incentives
When employees participate in wellness events and achieve health and wellness goals, organizations award points that can be spent on wellness incentives. Often employees redeem points for an item of their choice in a given point collection. The most effective wellness incentive is lifestyle, brand name awards which can be used and treasured as a reminder of the hard work the employee demonstrated in order to earn the incentive. When employers gather employee feedback, provide convenient access, hold wellness events and award lifestyle merchandise, they not only encourage and maximize participation in wellness programs; they can effectively reduce healthcare costs and boost teamwork in the workplace.
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