Corporate Wellness Blog

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

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

The Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee is made up of employees from the worksite. It oversees the wellness program and helps carry it out. The Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee must meet about once a month to review the previous month’s activities and plan future ones. When the program is just starting, the Corporate Health Promotion 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 Wellness Program Committee’s duties fall into three areas: planning, promoting, and supporting to run programs.

Starting the programs can include:

• Finding space for activities
• Developing and organizing workplace-wide events such as contests
• Evaluating 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 employees to take part in follow-up counseling
• Organizing promotional strategies using newsletters, signs, bulletin boards, computers, and other media available within the worksite

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 performance of the professional employee
• Acting as wellness mentors to fellow staff members

The size of the Company Wellness Program Committee will be dependent on the size of the business. Pick participants by asking day management to nominate or appoint staff members.

Make an announcement through flyers, memos, and meetings to recruit potential participants. Explain the purpose of the Employee Wellness Program Committee, duties and responsibilities, and the time responsibility.

Recognize your Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee volunteers. Allow them to take part in programs at a reduced expense. Have appreciation breakfasts/lunches/dinners. Print names of Workplace Health Promotion Program Committee participants on corporation 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. Organize awards certificates for members.

The following can be used as a guide for Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee size:

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