Worksite Wellness ProgramsWorksite Wellness Programs

Securing an active Worksite Wellness Program Committee supports opportunities for both senior staff and employee participation in the program. The Wellness Committee

ought to be a team of workers and managers who formally meet to plan activities to reward healthier employee lifestyles.

Typical Functions of a Worksite Wellness Program Committee:

• Reviewing needs & interests
• Brainstorming program ideas
• Planning activities
• Implementing communication plans
• Promoting programs to co-workers
• Serving as champions of the Worksite Wellness
• Assisting with evaluation

Your Worksite Wellness Program Committee ought to be representative of all echelons of the company. Consider all areas of the workforce – multiple sites, shift workers,

diversity (race, gender, ethnicity), and departments. It’s also important to consider who will chair or co-chair the Worksite Wellness Program Committee and whether or not

there are the finances to support a Worksite Wellness 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 consider making it the Safety & Worksite Wellness

Program Committee. You have the potential to request volunteers or invite workers to take part.

The number of Worksite Wellness Program Committee members depends on the size of your company; however, you need sufficient members to get the work done and yet

not too many to keep it manageable, usually at least 4 members and maximum of 12 to 15 members. It’s important to include skeptics of wellness as well and not just

those workers already practicing healthy lifestyles.

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

• Employee representatives from a cross section of different departments,
• Senior Management
• Health and safety professional(s)
• Human resources professional(s)
• Employee benefits representative or someone from finance
• Your EAP provider (if applicable), Click here for more information on EAPs
• Occupational health employee (if applicable).

Establish an effective Worksite Wellness Program Committee! The Worksite Wellness Program Committee ought to meet often with a planned agenda and action items.

Successful Wellness Committees have a shared mission, vision and goals and objectives. Participants need to believe that their participation is worthwhile and appreciated,

that their work is important, benefits the organization and co-workers, and they are recognized for their contributions. Refer to the NC Workplace Programs section for

examples of what other businesses have implemented.