What makes employee wellness programs successful?

Organizing an employee wellness platform can be challenging when it comes to creating a robust and effective program. However, according to the study From Evidence to Practice: Workplace Wellness that Works, there are five best practices to aid in this effort.

These 5 best practice for workplace wellness include:

1. Administer a baseline survey to assess employees’ physical activity levels, dietary preferences, and interest in health and wellness options.
2. Identify a senior leader who will support and participate in the employee wellness implementation to demonstrate the importance of making health and wellness a priority.
3. Make bold choices to implement changes and create a culture of healthy employees.
4. Reward employees for healthy behaviors and results.
5. Frequently share updates with employees and senior leaders.

The strongest workplace wellness programs build a culture of health that weaves individual health need/wants and overall company goals with backing by senior leadership. And as part of the Jump Right UP program, College Park Elementary, an MSD of Pike Township school, is on its way to success. ,

Mr. Aaron Botsford, the Assistant Principal and wellness champion at College Park Elementary, worked with his school wellness team to assist in creating a new and fun wellness alternative for staff. The team assessed their current skills and decided to use those skills to create a yoga and Pilates class after school for staff to decompress and take time for themselves.

Employee wellness programs are most effective when they are clearly tailored to the goals and needs of the people they serve. Mrs. Kimberly Rusk, the school’s computer assistant and a member of the wellness team, is a certified Pilates instructor. Ms. Jennifer Brouder, the school’s counselor and another member of the wellness team, is also a yoga instructor. Mrs. Rusk and Ms. Brouder teamed up to provide the yoga and Pilates class two times a week, every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the second semester.

The College Park Elementary yoga and Pilates class is a great example of an employer leveraging its employees’ talents to create fun and unique programs tailored to their staff. Although not every school may have two certified wellness employees ready to take on a new program, its great to keep in mind that employees may have more skills and interests that they’d like to share with their teammates. College Park Elementary has created an effective, sustainable program that is an important part of its wellness program.