Posted by Company Wellness | Posted in Company Wellness | Posted on 19-01-2009
Establishing a Company Wellness Program need not be expensive, but will require the commitment of some financial resources. If possible, include the Company Wellness Program in your organization’s annual business plan and budget as you do for other efforts important to your organization’s success.
How much to budget for the Corporate Health Promotion Program?
There is no one-size-fits-all formula for creating a Company Wellness Program that results in enhanced employee health. Organizations differ in how much money they need and how much they can make available for the Corporate Health Promotion Program. Consider the following common expenses in developing an adequate Company Wellness Program budget:
• Company Wellness Program staffing costs (either internal salaries or consultant fees)
• Company Wellness Program data collection costs (including health risk assessment costs, if relevant)
• Company Wellness Program incentives and rewards for healthy behaviors (such as discounts on premiums for non-smokers)
• Costs of Company Wellness Program Strategies to be started (such as costs of covering tobacco quit medications or costs of subsidizing healthy foods in the cafeteria or vending machines)
• Company Wellness Program administrative and communications expenses
In times of tight finances, be prepared to justify your requested Company Wellness Program budget. Arm yourself with data on potential short- and long-term outcomes of the proposed Company Wellness Program Strategies. Itemize the Company Wellness Program expenses of past programs and share projected expenses for programs planned for the upcoming year.
Sustaining Company Wellness Program Funding
A dedicated Company Wellness Program line item in your organization’s budget makes it more likely to be regarded as a need, rather than as a “nice-to-have” amenity that could be cut when funds run low.
One of the best Strategies for ensuring continued financial support for the Company Wellness Program is frequent communication to upper management, including:
• How many employees have you reached through the Corporate Health Promotion Program? Has morale improved? Have health risks decreased, e.g., fewer employees smoking, more employees active?
• How well are you managing the Company Wellness Program resources you’ve been given? Where and how has your budget been spent? Keep track of the staff time needed for each program and be able to present the numbers at any time.
• Anecdotal Company Wellness Program success stories from employees. Don’t underestimate the power of a good story to put a human face on your success.
Supplemental sources of Company Wellness Program Funding
If needed, have the individuals accountable for creating a Company Wellness Program look for ways to supplement available internal funds. Are there grants or other financing available that can help support your Company Wellness Program ? What community Company Wellness Program resources could you use to meet some of your needs?