Employee Wellness Plans : Employee Wellness Program: Form a Employee Wellness Program Committee  

Organizing an active Workplace Wellness Program Committee provides opportunities for both upper management and employee involvement in the program.  The Committee ought to be a team of staff members and managers who formally meet to plan activities to promote healthier employee lifestyles.

Typical Functions of a Employee Wellness Program Committee:

• Analyzing needs & interests
• Brainstorming program ideas
• Planning activities
• Implementing communication plans
• Promoting programs to co-workers
• Serving as champions of the Workplace Wellness Programs
• Assisting with evaluation  

Your Workplace Wellness Program Committee should be representative of all echelons of the corporation.  Consider all sections of the workforce – multiple sites, shift employees, diversity (race, gender, ethnicity), and departments.   It’s also important to consider who will chair or co-chair the Workplace Wellness Program Committee and whether or not there are the finances to support a Workplace Wellness Program manager or occupational health consultant, even on a part-time or contractual basis.  Click here for more information on the benefits of a health consultant.  

Depending on your corporation size and resources, if you already have a corporation Safety Committee you might want to think about making it the Safety & Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee.  You are able to request volunteers or invite employees to participate.  

The number of Corporate Wellness Program Committee participants is dependent upon the size of your business; however, you need sufficient participants to get the work done and yet not too many to keep it manageable, usually at least 4 participants and maximum of 12 to 15 participants.  It’s valuable to include skeptics of wellness as well and not just those employees already living healthy lifestyles.  

Depending on your workplace, consider representatives from the following areas:

• Employee representatives from a cross section of different departments,
• Upper Management
• Health and safety professional(s),
• Human resources consultant(s),
• Employee benefits representative or someone from finance,
• Your EAP provider (if applicable), Click here for more information on EAPs
• Occupational health employee (if applicable).

Establish a strong Corporate Wellness Program Committee!  The Corporate Wellness Program Committee must meet often with a planned agenda and action items.  Effective Wellness Committees have a shared mission, vision and goals.  Members need to believe that their participation is worthwhile and appreciated, that their work is valuable, benefits the organization and co-staff members, and they are appreciated for their contributions. Refer to the NC Workplace Programs section for examples of what other employers have implemented.