Steps to Develop a Workplace Wellness Program

According to a RAND Corporation survey, only 24 percent of employees take advantage of wellness programs in the company they work for. An efficient program should be appealing to your employees. It is easier to create a supportive work environment when a wellness program is successful because your employees are positively interacting with their managers and adhering to organization policies. Here are seven steps that can help you formulate a workplace wellness program your workforce can appreciate and adopt readily.

Step 1 – Plan and Establish Goals

An employee wellness program that offers positive results is the product of planning along with setting and reaching goals. The focus of these programs can be anything from reducing absenteeism, increasing employee morale, reducing the frequency of health insurance claims and more.

Step 2 – Ensure Compliance

Make sure the provisions in your wellness program do not violate any state rules of regulations such as HIPAA or EEOC. Violations can lead to lawsuits, which can prove quite costly in the long run.

Step 3 – Get Management on Board

After creating a basic plan for the program, get everyone in management on board – from executives to supervisors. Schedule a time when you can all meet for suggestions and advice on how the program can be improved for all departments involved.

Step 4 – Maintain A Supportive Work Environment

Employees who work in a supportive work environment will be more willing to accept your wellness program. A supportive work environment lets employees perform their jobs better and more confidently because it signals to employees that the organization they work for cares about their well-being.

Step 5 – Ask for Input

Once you have a basic idea and structure of your wellness program, create and circulate an anonymous survey to all the employees and managers. Typically, anonymous surveys allow respondents to be more open when discussing issues and will provide more honest feedback because they feel no fear or embarrassment or their criticism.

Step 6 – Re-Evaluate Goals

Use the results of your survey to determine weak areas, which can be improved before the plan is put into action. Information provided in the surveys will help you develop a program with goals that can meet employee requirements. Re-evaluate the results you were going for – if it means your employees can benefit.

Step 7 – Connect the Program to Positive Outcomes

Connect the wellness program to outcomes employees can really get behind. Rather than saying it will help the company increase revenue, show how the program can make your workforce happier and content in the workplace.

SIA Insurance Group offers a proactive approach to business insurance. We will work with you to create a risk management program that can meet your business needs while reduce risks at the same time. Our team offers custom solutions for middle and small markets with industry-specific expertise. Get in touch with us for a consultation today.