9 Steps to Implement an Effective Employee Wellness Program

When employees enjoy optimal health, they’re happier, more loyal, and more productive. Here are the steps to design and establish a highly effective wellness program at your workplace.

1. Carry out Preliminary Assessments

   Evaluating your workplace can help determine the right wellness program for it. Start by surveying your employees to establish their wellness needs and establish a program that best suits their preferences. Conduct a health risk evaluation and look into your workplace’s health culture. Determine if your employees are making the most of your sponsored health plan.

2. Get Acceptance and Support from Management

   For your wellness program to succeed in the long haul, you need to bring top management on board. It’s easier to convince senior executives to support and fund an initiative that’s clearly linked with your organization’s short and long-term priorities. Be sure to communicate the program's potential benefits to these key decision-makers.

3. Get the Support of Each Stakeholder

   Create an all-inclusive wellness committee with members from key departments or areas like management, IT, human resources, and health and safety. With an employee-oriented committee, you’ll more easily generate buy-in for your initiative across the entire organization. Members can help in various ways, including auditing current programs and determining employee wellness needs.

4. Set Unambiguous Goals and Objectives

   Research the wellness needs of your employees to establish long-term goals for the initiative, such as:

   • Improving employees’ health
   • Lowering health care costs
   • Reducing employees’ absenteeism rates
   • Boosting workplace productivity

   Ensure each objective is measurable and has a target timeline. You should state your goals and objectives in a precise way, such as:

   • Reducing the number of smokers in your workforce by 5% in the next fiscal year
   • Reducing the number of obese workers by 5% in the next fiscal year

5. Determine the Cost Implications of Your Wellness Program

   You should establish a proper budget to ensure that your employee wellness program is sufficiently funded at all times. Account for critical costs, including:

   • Provider fees
   • Employee incentives
   • Promotional materials
   • Supplies like fitness trackers

   Also, consider funding options like:

   • Employees paying for fitness classes
   • Wellness components included in group health plans

6. Incorporate the Right Components into Your Wellness Program

   Design program components based on identified employee health needs and the objectives of your organization. You can include programs like:

   • Stress management
   • Weight loss
   • Smoking cessation

   Your workplace wellness initiative must align with relevant laws, such as ADA, HIPAA, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

7. Use Incentives to Encourage Participation

   You can accomplish a lot for your wellness program with appropriate incentives or rewards. Potential objectives include:

   • Increasing participation rates
   • Encouraging adherence to healthy behavior

   Consider incentivizing employees in ways such as:

   • Points that can be redeemed for goods
   • Monetary rewards
   • Gifts for accomplishing program objectives

8. Raise Awareness of the Program

   Write a wellness policy and communicate it widely throughout your organization to create awareness and maximize employee participation. Cover every aspect of the program, including incentives, objectives, and your organization’s level of involvement. You can effectively pass the message in ways such as:

   • Promotional logos and programs
   • A hyped-up launch/rollout
   • Top-management endorsement/participation

9. Determine the Level of Success of the Program

   Evaluating your wellness program periodically is vital for its long-term sustainability and determining its effectiveness. It can help answer crucial questions based on objectives, such as:

   • How many employees signed up versus targeted workers?
   • What is the program completion rate?
   • By what percentage has the program helped reduce employee healthcare costs?

Do you need help improving the bottom line and productivity with the happiest and healthiest team in your workplace? The experts at Tompkins Insurance Agencies have a wealth of experience in coordinating highly effective employee wellness programs in New York. Contact us right away to learn more!