Health Promotion Strategies

Establishing an active Wellness Committee provides opportunities for both management and worker involvement in the program.  The Committee should be a team of staff members and managers who formally meet to plan activities to promote healthier worker lifestyles.

Typical Functions of a Wellness Committee –

• Evaluating needs and interests

• Brainstorming program ideas

• Planning activities

• Developing communication plans

• Promoting programs to coworkers

• Serving as champions of the Wellness Programs

• Assisting with investigation  

Your Wellness Committee must be representative of all levels of the corporation.  Consider all areas of the workforce – multiple sites, shift staff members, diversity (race, gender, ethnicity), and departments.  

It’s also important to consider who will chair or co-chair the Wellness Committee and whether or not there are the finances to support a wellness manager or occupational health professional, even on a part-time or contractual basis.  Click here for more information on the benefits of a health professional.  

Depending on your company size and resources, when you already have a company Safety Committee you could want to consider making it the Safety and Wellness Committee.  You can request volunteers or invite workers to participate.  

The number of Wellness Committee members depends on the size of your company; notwithstanding, you need enough members to get the work done and yet not too many to keep it manageable, normally a minimum of 4 members and maximum of 12 to 15 members.  

It’s important to include skeptics of wellness as well and not just those employees already practicing healthful lifestyles.  

Depending on your worksite, consider representatives from the following areas –

• Worker representatives from a cross section of different departments,

• Management/leadership,

• Health and safety expert(s),

• Human resources (HR)  specialist(s),

• Benefits staff or someone from finance,

• Your worker assistance program (EAP) provider (if applicable), Click here for additional information on EAPs

• Medical or occupational health staff (if applicable).

Establish an effective Wellness Committee!  the Wellness Committee ought to meet regularly with a planned agenda and action items.  Successful Wellness Committees have a shared mission, vision and goals.  

Members need to believe that their participation is worthwhile and appreciated, that their work is important, benefits the organization and peers, and they’re recognized for their contributions. Refer to the NC Workplace Programs section for instances of what other businesses have implemented.