Business owners, Human Resource directors and managers are constantly looking for ways to save money.  One method of saving on high insurance premiums is to implement a wellness program.  Research released in October of 2009 by insurance giant MetLife indicated that even though 94% of employers agree that wellness plans help cut costs, only 33% of companies actually offer wellness programs.

A wellness program needs to be quite comprehensive to be effective.  An occasional newsletter, a bowl of fruit or a walk around the block doesn’t quite do the trick. 

To design and establish an effective wellness program, a company should have a strong commitment to the employees and should create a culture of wellness.  Each company or organization is unique with its own environment and goals.  Therefore, companies must design their own customized program to meet the needs of their employees.  Companies should include the employees in the wellness audit process to determine their various needs.  In addition, to ensure that the program is effective over the long-run, a staff member should be assigned as the wellness coordinator.

Wellness programs may include:

Tobacco/Smoking Cessation              

Fitness and Exercise Education

Diet and Nutrition Education            

Pharmaceutical Education                 

Health Risk Assessments/ HRAs       

Stretch Breaks                                    

Family Wellness Education               

Safety Programs

Work/Life Balance Education                       

On-site Child Immunizations             

Employee Assistance Programs

Massage Therapy                               

Drug Testing Services                        

Wellness Seminars                             

Wellness Library                                

There are a number of issues that can hinder a productive wellness program.  Avoiding these “roadblocks” will help the productivity of the wellness initiative.

·         Employees not being aware of the wellness program

·         Lack of motivation or interest in the program

·         Poor incentives

·         Programs not reaching enough of the employee population

·         Courses, seminars, etc. not being convenient

·         Lack of management support

·         Poor planning

·         Lack of a “wellness champion”

·         Poor communication

As with any company initiative, preparation is essential for a successful program.  Over the next few years, wellness programs will become a necessity for every company.  Now is the time to start planning.