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Developing a Wellness Team

Create a Wellness Team

A wellness team should be developed when possible. Ideally, the team is made up of a handful of people from different areas of the company. This diversity guarantees that employees have a role in the process, which makes it more likely that they will support policies and/or programs. If you are a small business and are not able to assemble a wellness team, it is recommended that you assign a wellness coordinator to run the program.

Essential Elements of a Good Wellness Team

1. Leadership: Identifying a team leader is important. The leader is someone who has the interest, skill, and time to take on the tasks required for the project. A good leader will have skills in the following areas: facilitation, conflict resolution, active listening and communication.
2. Team Work: Identifying employees who have an interest in worksite wellness is key. If they are excited about what they are working on, they will be more likely to rally around the project. It is also important to find people who work well together, even when there are disagreements.
3. Clarity: Responsibilities and goals of the team need to be made clear from the owner or manager. Clarifying these goals will help the group in their planning process.
4. Regular Meetings: The wellness team should meet regularly. This allows the group to plan, address problems, and follow-up on issues in order to keep the program running smoothly. Setting regular agenda items can also be useful to ensure that all areas of worksite wellness are addressed at meetings.

Wellness Team Tasks

1. Develop an operating plan. The operating plan is a document that shows what the wellness program will accomplish. The plan is especially important in the event that a key member leaves the team. If this happens, the plan can be used to bring his or her replacement up to speed on the project.
2. A vision or mission statement for the wellness program that incorporates the organization’s mission or vision (The vision is a simple statement about what is seen for the future of the program)
   
3. Specific goals and measurable objectives that are linked to the company’s strategic priorities
   
4. A timeline for implementing the plan
   
5. Roles and responsibilities for completion of objectives
   
6. An itemized budget that is sufficient to carry out the wellness plan
   
7. Marketing strategies that will help promote the wellness policies and programs
   
8. Evaluation procedures that will measure the stated goals and objectives
   
9. Review existing policies that promote health and wellness. Determine if these policies need updating or revising. Conduct an assessment to determine which policies need to be added.
10. Visit or read about companies that are recognized as “leaders” in the area of worksite wellness.
11. Inform employees of new programs and polices. Use posters, newsletters, emails or other marketing techniques to inform your employees.
12. Evaluate your policies and programs throughout the year. Modify policies and programs as needed