Posted by Worksite Wellness | Posted in worksite wellness programs | Posted on 27-06-2009
Some of the top wellness programs currently in use today include:
Health Risk Assessments or HRAs
Health Risk Assessment is a top corporate wellness program currently in use globally. Corporations that enable it determine the safety and health concerns of workers by the assessment of appropriateness of the facilities and equipment against the needs of the workers. It can, for example, guide the company into determining how the air quality within an office room impacts the users and then help the assessment team to come up with the measures significant to correct the issue. An HRA can also evaluate the level of exposure workers have to certain hazardous or dangerous materials and practices.
Immunizations
This isn’t always practiced in every country since there are regions where government sponsored immunization shots are available. Nevertheless, it has also become an important component of the top Worksite Wellness in many businesses in North America. Immunization shots, such as those used to combat flu, for example, are provided to workers for free.
EAP
EAPs consist of a wide variety of services. It can range from offering educational resources to workers regarding health concerns to sponsoring health services and health care. In many businesses, medical and insurance have also become a staple part of their benefits system.
In-house nutrition and diet drives
This is another wellness program that businesses use, particularly those that offer in-house commissary or cafeteria services. Instead of serving richer, high-calorie fare, cafeterias offer options for a healthier diet, usually in the form of low-calorie foods and sugar substitutes. In-house employee wellness newsletter and campaign drives One of the top wellness programs that businesses can enable is a self-powered tool using a newsletter to reward wellness, coupled with a visible campaign. The campaign may be done periodically and focus on a specific topic, such as smoking risks, cancer, stress, carpal tunnel syndrome, safety in the workplace, etc. The employee wellness newsletter in itself can be an effective means to deliver information to workers or members of a company but it is far from perfect. Some workers, for example, may not read the newsletter entirely or even pay attention to it. If the concerns outlined in the newsletter are promoted through an active and highly visible campaign, it will be easier to maximize positive results.
Exercise and physical activity drives
Another top wellness program for businesses is one that involves physical activities. Corporations often sponsor exercise-related events such as marathons and company sports programs to encourage workers to remain fit or lose excess weight. In mid- to large-sized businesses, businesses may even pay for fitness center memberships or in-house exercise facilities.
Rewards and Incentives
Some of the top wellness programs implemented by businesses involve Rewards and Incentives. This involves company-sponsored programs that reward workers for achieving specific wellness-related goals and objectives. Participation in health campaigns and signing up for wellness programs are two of the most generally rewarded schemes. Rewards can range from special recognitions to over time acquired points (for bigger rewards) to specific gifts. In a few cases, cash may also be used. Nevertheless, incentive systems have had mixed reactions and levels of success. But it continues to be one of the top choices among businesses who are willing to modify it in order to fit their unique needs.
Peer Pressure
In many businesses, businesses take advantage of peer pressure in order to encourage workers to take part in wellness programs. This is currently one of the favorite Worksite Wellness currently in use today and growing in popularity. Peer pressure is often leveraged to help reward competitions referring to workplace wellness and to persuade workers to be active in company-sponsored health & wellness fairs.
