Drug Education and Intervention in the Workplace

Wellness committees are significant in that they create a sense of ownership in the program, and facilitate various tasks involved in wellness programming at the workplace. The Workplace Wellness Program Committee ought to be composed of a cross-section of employees representing various occupations, levels, and subgroups with the employer.

A common mistake is filling the Employee Health Promotion Program Committee with the most health/fitness-conscious people in the corporation. Don’t rely solely on volunteers to fill a Employee Health Promotion Program Committee. Make sure that your Employee Health Promotion Program Committee members have enough authority in the corporation to run an effective wellness program.

The Employee Wellness Program Committee is made up of staff members from the workplace. It oversees the wellness program and helps carry it out. The Employee Wellness Program 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 Employee Wellness Program Committee may meet on a weekly basis until things get going.

Committee participants do not carry out medical care procedures, counsel clients, or handle confidential health information. Wellness professionals perform these tasks.

In general, the Worksite Wellness Program Committee’s duties fall into three areas: planning, promoting, and assisting to run programs.

Beginning the programs can include:

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

Promoting the program can include:
• Recruiting workers to take part in assessment and health improvement programs
• Encouraging employees to take part in follow-up counseling
• Organizing promotional strategies using newsletters, signs, bulletin boards, computers, and other media available within the workplace

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 effectiveness of the professional employee
• Acting as wellness mentors to fellow employees

The size of the Workplace Wellness Program Committee will be dependent on the size of the business. Pick members by asking day management to nominate or appoint workers.

Make an announcement through brochures, memos, and meetings to recruit potential participants. Explain the purpose of the Employee Wellness Program Committee, duties and responsibilities, and the time responsibility.

Recognize your Company Wellness Program Committee volunteers. Allow them to participate in programs at a reduced cost. Hold appreciation breakfasts/lunches/dinners. Print names of Company Wellness Program Committee participants on corporation 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. Develop awards certificates for participants.

The following can be used as a guide for Worksite Health Promotion Program Committee size:

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