Company Health and Wellness : Employee Wellness Program Committee

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 Workplace Wellness Program Committee should be composed of a cross-section of workers representing various occupations, levels, and subgroups with the organization.

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

The Employee Health Promotion Program Committee is made up of employees from the worksite. It oversees the wellness program and helps carry it out. The Employee Health Promotion Program Committee ought to meet about once a month to review the previous month’s activities and plan future ones. When the program is just starting, the Employee Health Promotion Program Committee may meet on a weekly basis until things get going.

Committee participants do not carry out health care 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.

Developing the programs can include:

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

Promoting the program can include:
• Recruiting employees to take part in assessment 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 staff members

The size of the Company Health Promotion Program Committee will be dependent on the size of the business. Pick participants 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 Company Health Promotion Program Committee, duties and responsibilities, and the time responsibility.

Recognize your Corporate Wellness Program Committee volunteers. Allow them to participate in programs at a reduced cost. Have appreciation breakfasts/lunches/dinners. Print names of Corporate Wellness Program Committee members on company 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. Design awards certificates for participants.

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

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