Corporate Wellness Committee

Wellness committees are valuable in that they establish a sense of ownership in the program, and facilitate various tasks involved in wellness programming at the worksite. The Corporate Wellness Committee ought to be composed of a cross-section of staff members representing various occupations, levels, and subgroups with the employer. A common mistake is filling the Corporate Wellness Committee with the most health/fitness-conscious people in the employer. Don’t rely solely on volunteers to fill a Corporate Wellness Committee. Make sure that your Corporate Wellness Committee members have enough authority in the employer to run an effective wellness program. The Corporate Wellness Committee is made up of staff members from the worksite. It oversees the wellness program and helps carry it out. The Corporate Wellness Committee ought to meet about once a month to review the previous month’s activities and plan future ones. When the program is just starting, the Corporate Wellness Committee may meet on a weekly basis until things get going. Committee members do not carry out medical procedures, counsel clients, or handle confidential health information. Wellness professionals perform these tasks. In general, the Corporate Wellness Committee’s duties fall into three areas: planning, promoting, and helping to run programs. Developing the programs can include:

• Finding space for activities
• Developing and organizing worksite-wide events such as contests
• Reviewing reports prepared by the program employee and making recommendations

Promoting the program can include:

• Recruiting staff members to take part in evaluation and health improvement programs
• Encouraging staff members to take part in follow-up counseling
• Organizing promotional strategies using newsletters, signs, bulletin boards, computers, and other media available within the worksite

Helping to run the program can include:

• Setting up equipment for various activities
• Helping to conduct worksite-wide activities
• Monitoring all activities and reviewing the success of the professional employee
• Acting as wellness mentors to fellow staff members

The size of the Corporate Wellness Committee will be dependent on the size of the employer. Pick members by asking day management to nominate or appoint staff members. Make an announcement through brochures, memos, and gatherings to recruit potential members. Explain the purpose of the Corporate Wellness Committee, duties and responsibilities, and the time responsibility. Recognize your Corporate Wellness Committee volunteers. Allow them to take part in programs at a reduced cost. Hold appreciation breakfasts/lunches/dinners. Print names of Corporate Wellness Committee members on employer communications about the wellness program. Purchase special T-shirts, caps, and buttons for them. Write letters to supervisors saying that you appreciate the member’s service. Design awards certificates for members. The following can be used as a guide for Corporate Wellness Committee size:

• Less than 300 staff members 2 to 4
• 300 to 1,000 staff members 4 to 6
• 1,000 staff members or more 6 to 12