GETTING STARTED
Once companies know what health risks they’d like to target, it’s time
to put an action plan in place. It often falls to HR or health and safety
teams to lead the way, but if you really want to engage all employees in
the program, find those employees who are already actively invested
in their own health and allow them to champion the program for you.
Their energy and passion will go a long way toward generating those
positive outcomes you are hoping for.
Here’s a sample three-step health and wellness program targeted to
helping improve employees’ cardiovascular health:
■■ Promote community-based resources to help educate employees
about their risks
feature
■■ Conduct a one-day screening program to identify personal health
risks and steps employees can take to lower them
■■ Implement a walking program and reward-based fitness challenge
FREE RESOURCES
Many organizations provide free and credible resources to help
you plan workplace wellness activities and get started:
■■ Personal health risk assessment tools provide a solid foundation
for any health and wellness program. Many group benefits
providers offer a confidential online tool designed to help
plan members assess their personal health risks, create their
grinvaldsgrinvalds/ 123RF Stock Photo
“A FOCUS ON WORKPLACE WELLNESS HELPS ATTRACT
AND RETAIN TALENT, REDUCES HEALTH COSTS AND
INCREASES PRODUCTIVITY, BUT THE DIRECT IMPACT
OF THOSE WELLNESS INITIATIVES CAN BE DIFFICULT
TO MEASURE WHEN YOU’RE TRYING TO QUANTIFY THE
RETURN ON INVESTMENT OF A WELLNESS PROGRAM.”
HRPROFESSIONALNOW.CA ❚ APRIL 2018 ❚ 23