Workplace health initiatives provide employers with tools to encourage employees to improve their health and wellness. These programs can include employee wellness activities such as fitness classes or nutrition workshops, as well as incentives for participants who meet certain goals. Workplace health initiatives can benefit both employees and employers. Employees gain access to new opportunities and improved health through these programs. Employers can also save money by spending less on healthcare premiums. If you are interested in developing a workplace health initiative for your office, keep reading!
What are Workplace Health Initiatives?
Workplace health initiatives are programs or activities that seek to improve the health and well-being of the workforce. Generally speaking, there are a wide range of programs and activities that you can implement in your office to improve its health and wellness. Here are some examples of common workplace health initiatives:
- Smoker cessation programs
- Weightloss programs
- Access to preventative screening
- Support groups for chronic illnesses
- Health and wellness competitions
- Promoting healthy lifestyle choices
Select programs and activities that match the needs and interests of your employees. For example, if none of your employees are smokers, a smoking cessation program may waste time and money. Every office and organization is different, so it makes sense that a workplace health initiative cannot be “one size fits all.”
How to Develop a Workplace Health Initiative for Your Office
Take an Inventory
The first step to developing a unique workplace health initiative is taking inventory of your workforce as it stands. Obtain information about the health of your workforce through employee surveys. These surveys also allow asking employees to evaluate their wellness interests and needs. Conducting a health assessment can help determine the health risks facing your employees in the workplace and at home. This is also a good time to review your group’s health plan utilization rates. This can help you determine the health status of your workforce as a whole. Finally, ask employees if they participate in any exterior health programs, like gym memberships or cycling classes. All of this information is pertinent to the planning process for your workplace health initiative.
Plan the Program
After determining the needs of your office, it is time to plan the program. In this step, you will determine the programs your office needs and will use, obtain management support, and develop specific key performance indicators (KPIs). Analyze the information you have collected through employee surveys and assessments to determine what types of programs or health activities would be beneficial to your employees. Be sure to take into account employees’ interests and wants as well.
Obtaining support from management is essential to developing a successful workplace health initiative. Additionally, management support is critical for obtaining funding and approving new workplace policies. Based on the information you gathered and the programs you chose, determine the goals and objectives of the health initiative. Make sure these goals are reasonable and quantifiable. For example, a good KPI for a smoking cessation program is to reduce the number of smokers in the office by 20% by January 2024.
Implement the Program
The final step in developing a workplace health initiative is the implementation process. Explain every aspect of the program to your employees, including the company’s intent, programs available, and any rewards or incentives available to employees for participation. The communication step is essential for ensuring awareness and participation. Here are some ways to notify employees of the new health initiative.
- Informative posters and emails
- A launch “party” to roll out the program
- A catchy title or slogan
- Endorsement from management
- Repetition
If employees are aware of the health programs available, they are likely to use them.
Maintaining Success in Your Health Initiative
A health initiative can only do its job if people use it. It is important to regularly evaluate and adjust the health initiative as your workforce evolves. Evaluate the program through surveys and observations. Ask employees which programs they regularly use and how often they use them. Additionally, you can ask for recommendations from employees on how to improve existing programs.
Developing, maintaining, and adapting a workplace health initiative can be difficult, especially on top of your regular administrative tasks. Work Health Solutions can help you improve the health of your workforce through a variety of healthcare solutions. Contact us today to learn more!
How Can We Help?
Work Health Solutions offers comprehensive healthcare solutions for your medical needs. Our qualified team treats patients and employers alike and always provides top-quality service. Our quality service is backed by years of experience working with academic and research institutions, corporate healthcare, Fortune 25 companies, small governments, and local businesses. Reach out today with any questions about how we can assist you!
