STEPS:

Your employees’ health and wellbeing are key factors to lowering health-care costs and raising productivity. We have some ideas for you for a new wellness initiative program.

The Big Kick-Off
First on the agenda will be the announcement at a company meeting. For the big kick-off, inform staff of the specific elements of the program, and make sure you have relevant items to gear everyone up to invest more in their health. Start with a journal to track how they’re doing with targeted goals, such as lowering blood pressure and calorie intake, and getting more exercise. You want to be sure employees are safe to and from work, too, so hand out a first-aid/emergency kit they can keep in their cars. If you’re beginning the program with the New Year, provide a cold-and-flu-care kit to help them “Survive the Season.”

Weight Loss
Every wellness program should include exercise and weight-loss incentives. Consider setting up an onsite gym for employees to use for free. Maybe have a Weight Watchers representative visit with employees to talk about diet. To help employees with their weight-loss routines, think of giving out items like jump ropes, pedometers and water bottles.

Smoking Cessation
Another important element should be providing help for people who want to quit smoking. Give attendees of smoking cessation seminars dental-care kits to maintain their new minty-fresh breath and portable mini oxygen canisters for breaths of fresh air for their new clean lungs.

Milestone Prizes
Also have prizes on hand for milestones. A high quality, rolling duffel bag would be great to take to the gym and would be a welcome gift for people who lose a certain percentage of weight. Those who quit smoking, could benefit from a more upscale form of stress relief, such as the steel ball chimes you’ll see here. Think of yourself as a lifesaver. We think these ideas can get you off to a healthy start.