Health And Wellness In The WorkplaceHealth And Wellness In The Workplace

A health fair is an opportune way to familiarize workers with health problems and related wellness programs. During a health fair workers might be able to obtain resource materials; take part in offered wellness screenings (vision, hearing, blood, blood lipids, cancer, dental, etc.); observe demonstrations on the use of fitness equipment; catch mini-sessions on various health issues; get free promotional materials from local employers; sample healthy foods; and gather information about their health benefit plan.

Some corporations hold a “health & benefit fair” which includes vendors representing the various employee benefit plans (long-term disability, retirement, etc.) available to workers through their corporation.

Considerations when coordinating a health and wellbeing fair:

• Setting up a successful health & wellness fair takes extensive time. Time concerns must be taken into account in planning and organizing such an event. The most time consuming part is generally contacting potential participants, making arrangements for their participation, confirming their participation, and setting up the day of the event.
• Sufficient space, tables and chairs must be available to allow for the number of vendors involved. Some vendors may have portable displays or materials that will require additional space, access to electrical outlets, or other logistical considerations that must be discussed prior to the health fair.
• Vendors will be hoping to make contact with as many persons as possible during the event. Securing their responsibility to future health fairs requires that every effort be made to encourage participation by publicizing the event, selecting the proper venue, and offering incentives and rewards.
• If possible, locate the health & wellness fair in an area with heavy foot traffic.
• Ask vendors to supply no cost materials at their table and to make a donation to a prize drawing. Adhere to all business policies when seeking donations.
• As an idea to increase employee participation and to maintain high interest levels, each attendee could be given a “passport”, similar to a bingo card, to be signed by each vendor. The signed passport serves as the ticket for the prize drawings. Such drawings should take place every 15 or 30 minutes.
• Consider teaming up with neighboring employers to stage a wellness fair. A team effort will spread out the work and maximize participation.

Ideas for a Benefits Fair:

Include representatives from each of your employee benefits provider groups. Ask each vendor to be ready to answer employee questions regarding their program. Representatives might include:

• Retirement plan representative.
• Long-term disability plan representative.
• Health plan representative.
• Health Benefits representative.
• Contract cell phone representative (if applicable).
• Local savings and loan or credit union representative.
• Workers’ compensation representative.

Limited Space for a Health Fair: If space is limited hold the fair at lunch time. Place stations in organization hallways or in individual small conference or office rooms located throughout the building. Offer a map with all the stations listed. Hold a no cost drawing awarding a prize for anyone who goes to 75 percent of the stations. Use a punch card or similar method to verify.

Resources for health & benefit fairs coordination:

Assume a broad definition of “health” and reflect that by involving a wide array of vendors and services involved with physical, mental, financial and social health; for example, health agencies, safety employers, benefits providers, local medical care facilities, recreational facilities, parks, financial planners, childcare referrals, EAP, health clubs, health food stores, library, alternative and complementary medicine providers, etc.