Health And Wellness In The WorkplaceHealth And Wellness In The Workplace

Every workplace will have staff members who will not participate in provided worksite wellness activities. But these same staff members may be following a myriad of healthy practices in their daily living. A good wellness program ought to give these people credit and recognition for their good work.

Recognition of healthy goal setting and goal achievement is a good approach for reinforcing what individuals are doing on their own outside of work, and for reaching those who don’t like group activities. Suggested steps for individual objectives and recognition include:
• A form employees can fill out which includes the set goal(s) and a target date for completion.
• Information on setting realistic goals/objectives, as individuals often overestimate what they can do and by when. It’s wonderful to remind staff members “baby steps” count!
• Maintain a confidential file of the submitted employee objective forms in a dated “tickler” system.
• Send a reminder to each employee at the time of each participant’s intention date. This reminder might be a copy of their original intention form. Ask for employee’s feedback regarding their intention(s): completed the intention, need an extension, or have discontinued the intention.
• When the form is returned from an employee:
   1. If an employee has completed the objective, a certificate of completion is received along with a prize or incentive item linked to the objective (if possible).
   2. If the employee renegotiates the deadline or the objective, the form is re-filed for future follow-up. Continue to advocate the employee.
   3. If the objective is canceled, send a note acknowledging this “good try” and advocate the employee to try again when the timing is right.
• Allow those interested in this process to set goals and objectives any time and as frequently as they want.