Employee Wellness Plans : Workplace Health Promotion Program Goal Setting & Achievement Recognition Program

Every worksite will have staff members who will not participate in offered workplace wellness activities. But these same staff members may be following numerous healthy practices in their daily living. A good wellness program ought to give these people credit and recognition for their good work.

Recognition of healthy goal setting and goal achievement is a great approach for reinforcing what people are doing on their own outside of work, and for reaching those who do not like group activities. Suggested steps for individual goals and recognition include:
• A form employees can fill out which includes the set objective(s) and a target date for completion.
• Information on setting realistic objectives and goals, as people frequently overestimate what they can do and by when. It’s good to remind staff members “baby steps” count!
• Maintain a confidential file of the submitted employee objective forms in a dated “tickler” system.
• Send a reminder to each employee at the time of each participant’s goal date. This reminder might be a copy of their original goal form. Ask for employee’s feedback regarding their goal(s): completed the goal, need an extension, or have discontinued the goal.
• When the form is returned from an employee:
   1. If an employee has completed the objective, a certificate of completion is received along with a prize or incentive item linked to the objective (if possible).
   2. If the employee renegotiates the deadline or the goal, the form is re-filed for future follow-up. Continue to encourage the employee.
   3. If the objective is canceled, send a note acknowledging this “good try” and advocate the employee to try again when the timing is right.
• Allow those interested in this process to set goals/objectives any time and as often as they want.