Creating an active Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee supports opportunities
for both management and employee involvement in the program. The Wellness Committee
should be a team of workers and managers who formally meet to plan activities
to reward healthier employee lifestyles.
Typical Functions of a Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee:
- Analyzing needs & interests
- Brainstorming program ideas
- Planning activities
- Establishing communication plans
- Promoting programs to co-workers
- Serving as champions of the Corporate Health Promotion
- Assisting with assessment
Your Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee should be representative
of all echelons of the company. Consider all sections of the workforce –
multiple sites, shift workers, diversity (race, gender, ethnicity), and departments.
It’s also valuable to consider who will chair or co-chair the Corporate
Health Promotion Program Committee and whether or not there are the finances
to support a Corporate Health Promotion Program 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, if you already have a company
Safety Committee you may want to think about making it the Safety & Corporate
Health Promotion Program Committee. You have the potential to request volunteers
or invite workers to participate.
The number of Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee participants depends
on the size of your company; however, you need a sufficient number of participants
to get the work done and yet not too many to keep it manageable, usually a minimum
of 4 participants and maximum of 12 to 15 participants. It’s valuable
to include skeptics of wellness as well and not just those workers already living
healthy lifestyles.
Depending on your worksite, consider representatives from the following
areas:
- Employee representatives from a cross section of different departments,
- Senior Leadership
- Health and safety professional(s),
- Human Resources (HR) professional(s),
- Employee benefits representative or someone from finance,
- Your Employee Assistance Program(EAP) provider (if applicable), Click here
for more information on EAPs - Occupational health employee (if applicable).
Establish an effective Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee! The Corporate
Health Promotion Program Committee should meet regularly with a planned agenda
and action items. Effective Wellness Committees have a shared mission, vision
and goals/objectives. Members must believe that their participation is worthwhile
and appreciated, that their work is valuable, benefits the organization and
co-workers, and they are appreciated for their contributions. Refer to the NC
Workplace Programs section for examples of what other employers have implemented.
