CORPORATE WELLNESS(CW) PROGRAMSA BIRD’S EYE VIEW

Designed by Divya Arun

(MSc in Food Service Management & DieteticsMaster of Business Administration in Human Resources)

WHAT IS CORPORATE WELLNESS(CW)?

Workplace wellness or CW is any workplace health promotion activity or

organizational policy designed to support healthy behavior in the

workplace and to improve health outcomes.

CW consists of activities such as health fairs, health education, medical

screenings, health coaching, weight management programs, wellness

newsletters, on-site fitness programs and/or facilities and educational

programs.

WHY DO WE NEED CW?

To reduce healthcare expenses companies compensate for employees.

To make the work space a more inviting and relaxing environment for

their employees.

To reduce employee absenteeism.

Better employee morale and productivity.

WHY DO WE NEED CW?

To encourage healthy lifestyle management.

To take preventive measures for overall employee health.

Healthy employee can strike a better work-life balance.

To improve employee branding.

To increase employee recruitment potential.

HOW TO BUILD A CW PROGRAM?

Identify the need for Corporate Wellness Programs.

Advantages of the CW program , if implemented.

Establish a Wellness Committee/Team.

Assess Employee Needs and Interests.

Design a Wellness Program – Goals and Objectives.

HOW TO BUILD A CW PROGRAM?

Develop a Wellness Program Timeline and Wellness Budget.

Select Wellness Program Incentives.

Acquire Support for the Wellness Program.

Market the Wellness Program.

Implement the Wellness Program.

Evaluate the Success of the Wellness Program.

TAKE AN EXAMPLE….According to 2011 Census reports, people from Kerala have the highest

cholesterol levels in India that ranges from 197 to 229mg/dl compared to

157 to 180mg/dl nationally. The new generation job patterns involving

sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet practices are found to be some of

the causes for the same.

Identify few companies or State organisations interested in a employee

wellness overhaul in the above mentioned domain.

Figure out the benefits of implementing a CW program , on an employer-

employee basis as well as for the organization as a whole on affordable

budget.

EXAMPLE(Continued)………

Once the CW program implementation is on , decide on a Wellness Team comprising both

external and internal members. Internally , the HR team should play a vital role in enhancing

the workforce participation for the program.

Major roles of the Wellness Team

Set objective of the program( Eg: To improve the employee activity levels from 20 percent to

35 percent by the end of the next fiscal year.)

Employee Interest Survey to find out what the employees are looking forward in the program.

( Eg: Do the employees prefer work outs to walking?)

Realistic Budget Preparation by an internal member based on a Convenient Timeline.( Eg: 30

min Fitness & Nutrition sessions X 15 days,incentives,15 min workout sessions by trainers etc

are a few aspects)

EXAMPLE(Continued)……..

Wellness incentives for participants of the program.(Eg:Best Walker’, ‘Best

Overall Participation’ etc).

Financial and Emotional Support from the Management for the

participants and Government support for State organisations are essential.

Wellness team members, Company Management and the participants can

market the program concept through free sources like newsletters, emails,

word-of-mouth and bulletin boards.

EXAMPLE(Continued)……..

Implement the program with maximum participation from the

Management side . The more employees see Management participating ,

the more likely they are to participate. (E.g. Managers who do workouts or

walking do influence their peers/subordinates in following the same.)

Finally , the Wellness team should check periodically to see how well the

program is working and whether the program is nearing their initial

objective.(Eg: Employee reviews and feedback could help modify the

program objectives, if required.)

TO CONCLUDE…..

The right professional guidance and a congenial environment combined

with one’s active participation and proactive mindset is all that is

needed to make such programs a success.

A 24/7 career does not have to be a obstacle to healthy living!

THANK YOU!