Employee Health Promotion Programs: More Low-Cost Activities That Work
John Bates
October 21, 2008
Employee Health Promotion Program: Physical/Weight Management Activities
1. Grant access to on- and off- worksite gyms and recreational programs before, during, and after work hours.
2. Offer and encourage participation in after work recreation or leagues.
3. Offer cash incentives or decreased insurance costs for participation in physical activity and/or weight management or maintenance programs.
4. Offer shower and/or changing facilities onsite.
5. Offer outdoor exercise areas such as fields and trails for worker use.
6. Offer bicycle racks in safe, convenient, and accessible locations.
7. Offer onsite fitness opportunities, such as group classes or personal training.
8. Offer an onsite exercise / fitness center.
9. Set up programs that have strong social support systems and rewards, such as:
o Buddy or team physical activity goals
o Programs that involve staff members and family
o Programs to encourage physical activity, such as pedometer walking challenges
o Explore discounted or subsidized memberships at local health clubs, recreation centers, or YMCAs
10. Offer flexible work hours to allow for physical activity during the day.
11. Support physical activity breaks during the workday, such as stretching or walking.
12. Host walk-and-talk meetings.
13. Map out onsite trails or nearby walking routes and destinations.
14. Have workers map out their own biking or walking route to and from work.
15. Post motivational signs at elevators and escalators to encourage stair usage.
16. Offer exercise/physical fitness messages and information to workers.
17. Offer or support recreation leagues and other physical activity events onsite or in the community.
18. Start worker activity clubs such as walking or bicycling clubs.
19. Offer onsite child care facilities to facilitate physical activity.
20. Sponsor a bike to work day and reward workers who participate.
21. Set up a box and request health and fitness tips.
Employee Health Promotion Program: General Health Education Activities
1. Have a current policy outlining the requirements and functions of a broad-based worksite Employee Health Promotion Program.
2. Have a wellness plan in place that addresses the purpose, nature, duration, resources required, participants in, and expected results of a worksite Employee Health Promotion Program.
3. Orient workers to the Employee Health Promotion Program and give them copies of the physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco use policies.
4. Promote and encourage worker participation in the physical activity/fitness and nutrition education/weight management program.
5. Offer health education information to workers.
6. Have a committee that meets at least once a month to oversee the Employee Health Promotion Program.
7. Offer regular health education presentations on various physical activity, nutrition, and wellness-related topics. Ask voluntary health associations, healthcare providers, and/or public health agencies to offer onsite education classes.
8. Host a health fair as a kick-off event or as a celebration for completion of a wellness campaign.
9. Designate specific areas to support workers such as diabetics and nursing mothers.
10. Conduct preventive wellness screenings for blood pressure, body composition, blood cholesterol, and diabetes.
11. Offer confidential HRA's (health risk appraisals).
12. Offer onsite weight management/maintenance programs for workers.
13. Add weight management/maintenance, nutrition, and physical activity counseling as a member benefit in medical insurance contracts.
Employee Health Promotion Program: Tobacco Cessation
1. Establish a company policy prohibiting tobacco use anywhere on the property.
2. Offer prompts/posters to support no tobacco use policy.
3. Policy supporting participation in smoking cessation programs during duty time (flex-time).
4. Offer counseling through an individual, group, or telephone counseling program onsite.
5. Offer counseling through a health plan sponsored individual, group, or telephone counseling program.
6. Offer cessation medications through medical insurance.
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