Company Health and Wellness : Establish a Company Wellness Program Committee

A vital first step in organizing your company’s wellness program is the formation of a Employee Wellness Program Committee. The focus of the Employee Wellness Program Committee is to plan, reward, and start the program. The Employee Wellness Program Committee establishes continuity, motivation, and broad ownership of the program as well as supports an excellent vehicle for communication.

So who should be on the Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee? Consider appointing the following people/departments to your Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee:

• Upper Management within your business
• Union representatives
• Human Resources (HR) department
• Employee Assistance Program
• Information technology
• Communications
• Health and safety department
• staff members interested in health & wellness

Building a thriving Employee Health Promotion Program requires employee time as well as money. Some larger companies may spend 20 hours per week for three to six months preparing all the steps prior to starting a Employee Health Promotion Program.

Anywhere from 4 to 10 people meeting monthly equals a Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee. A mission statement for the Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee must be developed by the second meeting. This way, everyone knows what the Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee is working toward.

Once a wellness program has been established, the committee’s size and meeting schedule may differ. Still, no fewer than 4 members should meet at least quarterly so the group – and the wellness program – does not fade away.