| Copyright (c) 2008 Konstantin Koss | | | | cafeterias offer options for a healthier diet, usually |
| Who needs wellness programs? If you work in an | | | | in the form of low-calorie foods and sugar |
| office or a jobsite or are a member of an | | | | substitutes. |
| organization who spends a considerable amount of | | | | 5. In-house wellness newsletter and campaign |
| time at work, you will benefit from a | | | | drives |
| well-designed worker wellness program. | | | | One of the top wellness programs that |
| Employees spend a minimum of about 200 hours | | | | organizations can implement is a self-powered tool |
| a month at work - a considerable amount of time. | | | | using a newsletter to promote wellness, coupled |
| Furthermore, stress, distractions and the | | | | with a visible campaign. The campaign may be |
| pressures of the job can take its toll on the | | | | done periodically and focus on a specific topic, |
| worker, which makes it important that a wellness | | | | such as smoking hazards, cancer, stress, carpal |
| program is implemented. Today, all across | | | | tunnel syndrome, safety in the workplace, etc. |
| America, Canada, Europe and Asia, top corporate | | | | The newsletter in itself can be an effective |
| wellness programs are being used to help improve | | | | means to deliver information to employees or |
| employee conditions at work and reduce the cost | | | | members of an organization but it is far from |
| of worker healthcare. | | | | perfect. Some employees, for example, may not |
| Some of the top wellness programs currently in | | | | read the newsletter in its entirety or even pay |
| use today include: | | | | attention to it. If the issues outlined in the |
| 1. Health Risk Assessments or HRAs | | | | newsletter are promoted through an active and |
| Health Risk Assessment is a top corporate | | | | highly visible campaign, it will be easier to |
| wellness program currently in use globally. | | | | maximize positive results. |
| Organizations that implement it determine the | | | | 6. Exercise and physical activity drives |
| safety and health concerns of workers by the | | | | Another top wellness program for organizations is |
| assessment of appropriateness of the facilities | | | | one that involves physical activities. Companies |
| and equipment against the needs of the | | | | often sponsor exercise-related events such as |
| employees. | | | | marathons and company sports programs to |
| It can, for example, guide the organization into | | | | encourage employees to remain fit or lose excess |
| determining how much air quality within an office | | | | weight. In mid- to large-sized organizations, |
| room affects the users and then help the | | | | companies may even pay for gym memberships |
| assessment team to come up with the measures | | | | or in-house exercise facilities. |
| necessary to correct the problem. An HRA can | | | | 7. Incentive rewards |
| also evaluate the level of exposure workers have | | | | Some of the top wellness programs implemented |
| to certain hazardous or dangerous materials and | | | | by companies involve incentive rewards. This |
| practices. | | | | involves company-sponsored programs that |
| 2. Immunizations | | | | reward employees for achieving specific wellness |
| This isn't always practiced in every country since | | | | goals. Participation in health campaigns and signing |
| there are regions where government sponsored | | | | up for wellness programs are two of the most |
| immunization shots are available. However, it has | | | | commonly rewarded schemes. Rewards can |
| also become an important component of the top | | | | range from special recognitions to points (for |
| worker wellness programs in many organizations | | | | bigger rewards) to specific gifts. In a few cases, |
| in North America. | | | | cash may also be used. |
| Immunization shots, such as those used to | | | | However, incentive systems have had mixed |
| combat flu, for example, are offered to workers | | | | reactions and levels of success. But it continues to |
| for free. | | | | be one of the top choices among companies who |
| 3. Employee Assistance Programs or EAPs | | | | are willing to modify it in order to fit their unique |
| Employee Assistance Programs consist of a wide | | | | needs. |
| variety of services. It can range from providing | | | | 8. Peer Pressure |
| educational resources to employees regarding | | | | In many organizations, companies take advantage |
| health issues to sponsoring health services and | | | | of peer pressure in order to encourage workers |
| medical care. In many companies, medical and | | | | to participate in wellness programs. This is |
| insurance have also become a staple part of their | | | | currently one of the favorite worker wellness |
| benefits system. | | | | programs currently in use today and growing in |
| 4. In-house diet and nutrition drives | | | | popularity. Peer pressure is often leveraged to |
| This is another wellness program that | | | | help promote competitions referring to workplace |
| organizations use, particularly those that offer | | | | wellness and to persuade employees to be active |
| in-house commissary or cafeteria services. | | | | in company-sponsored health fairs. |
| Instead of serving richer, high-calorie fare, | | | | |