BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina

Make a visible company commitment

Structure makes things “real.” Concrete action makes them believable. Together, they’re the keys to putting a great idea – like workplace wellness – into action.

Structure starts with leadership: Depending upon the size of your company, it could be either a single wellness “champion” or a formal Workplace Wellness Committee. The committee should be a team of employees and managers who formally meet to plan and implement activities to promote healthier employee lifestyles. Your committee should be representative of all levels of the company and should reflect all stages of wellness. Consider all areas of the workforce – multiple sites, shift workers, diversity (race, gender, ethnicity) and departments.

Typical functions of a workplace wellness committee might include:

• Reviewing needs and interests
• Brainstorming program ideas
• Identifying and removing barriers to success
• Planning activities
• Coordinating wellness events
• Developing communication plans
• Promoting programs to coworkers
• Serving as champions of the workplace wellness programs
• Assisting with evaluation

Concrete action takes many forms. In the broad view, every element of your workplace wellness plan is a tangible step. But in the beginning, less complex actions can signal that you’re serious about making a change for the better. Examples include:

• Banning tobacco from the workplace
• Upgrading to healthy food options at company events and in vending machines
• Encouraging employees to walk and use the stairs

By themselves, each of these changes won’t add up to a comprehensive workplace wellness program. But if you’re in the early stages of such a plan, they can do a lot to focus people’s attention on the steps ahead.