Corporate Wellness Incentive Plans

Wellness committees are significant in that they create a sense of ownership in the program, and facilitate various tasks involved in wellness programming at the workplace. The Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee ought to be composed of a cross-section of workers representing various occupations, levels, and subgroups with the organization.

A common mistake is filling the Company Wellness Program Committee with the most health/fitness-conscious people in the employer. Don’t rely solely on volunteers to fill a Company Wellness Program Committee. Make sure that your Company Wellness Program Committee participants have sufficient power in the employer to run an effective wellness program.

The Workplace Wellness Program Committee is made up of staff members from the workplace. It oversees the wellness program and helps carry it out. The Workplace Wellness Program Committee should meet about once a month to review the previous month’s activities and plan future ones. When the program is just starting, the Workplace Wellness Program Committee may meet on a weekly basis until things get going.

Committee members do not carry out medical procedures, counsel clients, or handle confidential health information. Wellness professionals perform these tasks.

In general, the Company Health Promotion Program Committee’s duties fall into three areas: planning, promoting, and supporting to run programs.

Creating the programs can include:

• Finding space for activities
• Developing and organizing worksite-wide programs such as contests
• Analyzing reports prepared by the program employee and making recommendations

Promoting the program can include:
• Recruiting workers to take part in evaluation and health improvement programs
• Encouraging workers to take part in follow-up counseling
• Organizing promotional strategies using newsletters, signs, bulletin boards, computers, and other media available within the workplace

Helping to run the program can include:
• Setting up equipment for various activities
• Helping to conduct workplace-wide activities
• Monitoring all activities and reviewing the success of the professional employee
• Acting as wellness mentors to fellow workers

The size of the Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee will be dependent on the size of the company. Pick members by asking day management to nominate or appoint employees.

Make an announcement through flyers, memos, and meetings to recruit potential members. Explain the purpose of the Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee, duties and responsibilities, and the time responsibility.

Recognize your Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee volunteers. Allow them to participate in programs at a reduced expense. Have appreciation breakfasts/lunches/dinners. Print names of Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee members on employer communications about the wellness program.

Purchase special T-shirts, caps, and buttons for them. Write letters to supervisors saying that you appreciate the member’s service. Create awards certificates for participants.

The following can be used as a guide for Company Wellness Program Committee size:

• Less than 300 employees   2 to 4
• 300 to 1,000 staff members   4 to 6
• 1,000 workers or more   6 to 12