Worksite Wellness ProgramsWorksite Wellness Programs

Before you start laying out your Worksite Wellness Program you need to know where you are now and then decide where you want to go. Completing a thorough needs

assessment is vital to the performance of your wellness program for two reasons: First it ensures that your Worksite Wellness Program activities will be targeted to meet

your company’s specific needs so that outcomes have the potential to be achieved. Secondly the needs assessment supports the information you will need to evaluate the

effectiveness of your wellness program.

It is often tempting to hurry through the assessment – especially when time is short or those with experience already have an idea of needs. Do not give in to this

temptation! It is vital that you understand what your company needs are, what senior staff expects, and what workers want as well as expect, before you begin a Worksite

Wellness Program.

Consider and accumulate data on:

• Employee Demographic Information
• Employee Health Risk Factors
• Medical Claims
• Injury Rates & Causes
• Workers’ Compensation Claims
• Short and Long Term Disability Claims
• Absenteeism
• Corporation Culture Audits
• Employee perceived needs and health risks
• Senior Management’s expectations or desired outcomes

There are many ways to evaluate this information. Although some of data gathering process may be time consuming, remember that it is nonetheless critical to plan

programs that target specific concerns. This information will be vital to set goals and objectives and for evaluating program performance. How else can you know if

outcomes have been achieved?

Options to help gather the information:

• Confidential Health Risk Appraisals with a Corporation Group Summary Report click here for more information on Health Risk Appraisals or Assessments
• Wellness Screenings such as cholesterol, Blood Pressure and blood glucose click here for additional information on health screenings
• Employee Needs and Interest Surveys
• Suggestion boxes placed around the organization
• Focus Groups or hosting a luncheon meeting as a focus group
• Sending out a confidential email questionnaire
• Review records and databases including OSHA logs, first aid reports, insurance costs

Once your needs assessment is complete, the Worksite Wellness Program Committee can review the results and start laying out and prioritizing program options. Planning

ought to be based upon goals and objectives and identified outcomes, Step 4 of the seven step process!