Posted by Health Handouts | Posted in Health Handouts, Health Tips | Posted on 11-08-2009
Can a small corporation support workplace wellness? Absolutely! In fact, in some ways it is easier to establish a healthy workplace in a small corporation than in a sizable corporation.
Limited resources, especially in small companies, can keep a corporation from setting up a Worksite Wellness Program. Reasons can include:
• lack of fiscal resources;
• lack of employee;
• lack of senior-level backing;
• sparse knowledge of the wellness concept and;
• problem about making wellness available to all employees.
According to the Wellness Councils of America, some small corporation owners may have the wrong idea of what is involved in running a Employee Wellness Program. Some employers aren’t convinced that a program would truly work and others feel that trying to change personal lifestyle behaviours is intruding and “none of their business”. Perhaps they don’t understand that it need not be costly and that they don’t need special employee. They may not know that some employee would like to see some healthy changes and would help make things happen in their workplace.
It Can Be Done
Many small companies have found ways to have a Worksite Wellness Program that works for them. They keep the expenditure and effort to a minimum and still have results that are beneficial for everyone. In 2006, Graham Lowe wrote a report on the best places to work in Calgary. He said that healthy workplaces frequently have a “positive workplace culture”. In a workplace with a beneficial culture, people feel appreciated, valued, and trusted.
Dr. Lowe says it is easier for a small workplace to have a beneficial workplace culture than for a large workplace. Many staff members prefer to work for a small corporation, he says, because it provides more opportunities to work closely with others and advance a sense of community.
In his report, Dr. Lowe says the most thriving organizations with fewer than 100 employees have:
• excellent employee benefits;
• policies that encourage a balance between work and personal life;
• flexible schedules;
• competitive salaries;
• excellent leadership with an emphasis on teamwork;
• environmentally responsible company policies;
• procedures for seeking employee input; and
• a focus on placing employees’ personal wellness ahead of the personal gain of Senior Management.
All or most of these elements are also elements of a strong Workplace Wellness Program.
Tips and Ideas
There are multiple ways to include health and wellness in a small business. You do not necessarily need a wellness professional or a fancy gym. What you do need is backing from senior staff and a Employee Wellness Program Committee of a few committed people. Here are some ideas that your workplace can consider.
Communications and Promotion
• Send out a regular “wellness” newsletter on paper or internet based. Or send out a simple message such as the weekly Healthy U Hot Tip.
• Utilized promotions that are ready-designed, such as Healthy Workplace Week.
Active Living and Healthier Eating
• Encourage employee to sign up for the Stairway to Health stair climbing contest.
• Have pedometers for staff members and count their steps.
• Rent a nearby school or community health club and offer exercise classes.
• Bring in a local fitness instructor to teach classes or lead stretch breaks. Expenses can be shared with employees.
• Install safe bicycle parking.
• Serve healthy alternatives at employer gatherings and lunches.
Policy and Corporation Plans
• Enlist an ergonomics specialist to evaluate workstations.
• Foster policies to support work-life balance (for example, mandatory vacations, flextime, limits to work and e-mail on personal time).
• Offer a wellness subsidy for a variety of health and leadership activities and courses.
• Provide monetary rewards and incentives to be healthy.
• Give wellness incentives/rewards as rewards and recognition for a job well done.
• Conduct an employer health audit.
• Become a partner with the area (for example, daycare, gyms, festivals, parks, restaurants).
• Spread the workload. Set up a Employee Wellness Program Committee.
Small organizations may not have much time, money, or human resources available for a Employee Wellness Program. But they frequently have a huge advantage over large companies-a positive workplace culture. That is a strong foundation for a Employee Wellness Program. When staff members are satisfied, enjoy their work environment, they are more beneficial, and tend to be healthier. With a modest amount of creativity and passion, small organizations can foster efficacious Employee Wellness Programs. Obtain backing from senior staff, establish a Employee Wellness Program Committee of two or more and discover the possibilities!