Wellness Program Ideas - Onsite Wellness Classes.

The feasibility of worksite based wellness classes depends on the size of the workforce. Worksite programs have to be supported with an adequate number of interested employees to keep a class going.

Typically a certain level of employee involvement is also necessary to ensure availability of facilities such as a room and equipment.

There are wide ranges of ongoing courses which may be offered in the worksite, including aerobics, yoga, tai chi, stretching, weight control, stress management, use of tobacco cessation, and self defense.

Depending on results from an interest survey, offering an “introductory” mini class series regarding a topic of high interest might  be a good beginning idea.

For  instance, offer a series of five beginning yoga classes to acquaint workers with the posture and relaxation advantages of yoga. After an introductory series, workers may want to pursue something on their own in the community.

Or, possibly an staff member interest group could create where interested staff members would pursue the chosen activity as a group.

Who Compensates for What When? (Employee Subsidies and Discounts)

A lot of staff members and wellness teams are beneath the impression that the business ought to pay for all wellness activities. Remember the business is compensating the bulk of the employee’s health and benefits package.

When vacation time, insurance costs, and sick costs are all factored in, the typical American company spends very close to $10,000 per year per employee on related health, time off, and lost productivity costs.

Health is a personal responsibility and a gift we can all give to ourselves. Make sure to help staff members increase their understanding and appreciation of self-care for their health by encouraging their share of accountability for healthful and safe living and working.

Other ways of financing worksite based wellness activities and to also “internally” motivate staff members are included here -

Subsidies

If there’s a budget but not enough space or staff to offer onsite courses that are available elsewhere (like Weight Watchers, fitness clubs exercise classes, Jazzercise, hospital community ed programs, etc.), a subsidy could be offered to those who take advantage of these community resources.

Establish guidelines ahead of time about eligibility and maximum reimbursement, conditions for reimbursement, whether proof of participation is required and what form it should take (receipts, log forms, etc).

The wellness policy also needs to address whether someone is eligible one time only, once a year, every five years, etc. for reimbursements.

• Subsidies work best when the worker puts out the money and effort first, and then gets a partial reimbursement or completion gift based on some sort of attendance or participation completion.

• the reimbursement must be large enough to be worth the trouble of implementing the program, but shouldn’t cover the entire cost the program.

• It’s easy to get carried away with requiring “proof” in these kinds of programs. Don’t make it too bureaucratic or no one will use it. It is important to remember no matter how well your policies are set up, there will be people , generally very few, who cheat-that’s unavoidable and should not become the major focus of documentation requirements.

• Consider appropriate participation gifts in place of financial reimbursement. for example, if an employee meets attendance criteria for a stretching class, provide a stretching strap or yoga mat as the completion gift.

• Be certain to check with the management team regarding policy for subsidies, tax reporting, etc.

Discounts and Donations

Worker discounts and donations can be sensitive areas for public businesss and staff members. In many jurisdictions, public staff members aren’t allowed to receive any type of special consideration, including discounts, from local corporations, providers, or providers.

Make certain to check organizational ethics and procurement policies before asking for discounts.

When management policy does allow for discounts and donations, the whole solicitation process needs to be conducted fairly and spelled out in writing. All interested, licensed providers, and service providers should’ve a fair unbiased opportunity to participate if they so choose.

No inappropriate advantages are given to one provider over another as for access to staff members, publicity, etc. No provider or service provider ought to be promised or guaranteed additional revenue, corporation, or anything else if they select to voluntarily offer a donation or discount to staff members.

Follow the same donation and/or solicitation policies when offering provider door prizes or gifts at an employer-sponsored health fair.