Making Your Workplace Wellness Program Work For You

Workplace wellness plans can be a mixed bag, but if you can sort out the good from the bad, they could ultimately benefit you.

Despite their purportedly good intentions, workplace wellness programs have garnered their fair share of controversy.

Some of it centers around the data — or lack thereof — that companies are collecting on the programs. Sometimes, only successes get recorded, and failures get written off. Some of it takes aim at the “dubious” testing, or unnecessary visits to the doctor. Even more controversy stems from questioning whether these programs save the health dollars they claim to, or just shift the cost onto employees.

At the same time, plenty of evidence exists to suggest that there are in fact savings for the 80% of large companies who have a workplace wellness program.

What most in depth analyses agree on is that the most effective workplace wellness program, is a well designed one. Whether you have the ability to impact your own company’s program or not, you may be able to redesign your use of them.

For those who are keen on workplace wellness programs, here are a few unique ways to maximize their impact. For those of you who are less keen, if you follow some of these tips, making the best of the situation might wind up being the best thing for you.

How to Make a Wellness Program Work for You

It’s hard to deny that actually improving your health will benefit you both physically and mentally. To start reaping the rewards of your San Diego business' workplace wellness program, thoroughly educate yourself on what’s available through yours. Become literate in all of the rules, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Is there an on-site gym, but you don’t know how to use the leg machine safely? Inquire about getting a trainer in for some time with the team. Are there so-called healthy snacks available in the cafeteria? Find the actual nutrition information available.

The more you know, the more control you’ll have.

Primary Programs: Do Your Homework

A workplace wellness program is kind of like school; it sets you up with the tools you need to learn how to be healthier, but if you don’t do your homework, you won’t ace the test.

Most programs will offer primary interventions — simply put, strategies to stop health problems before they start. Their focus tends to be on establishing healthier habits.

An onsite gym, more nutritious onsite meal options, or flexible scheduling to accommodate exercise over the lunch hour are all examples of primary interventions.

Just like homework, try to assign yourself an amount of these activities to complete or follow to get ahead on your health. Starting small can make it easier to adjust to the new routine, and you can slowly build up your commitment as you get used to it. Try substituting whole grains for processed carbohydrates in your lunch each day, or commit to building an exercise plan that starts small.

It’s a lot easier to access these interventions when they’re literally right outside your door, so resist excuses, and take advantage of what’s in the building.

Secondary Programs: Strength in Numbers

Alongside primary interventions, other popular offerings of workplace wellness programs include secondary interventions. These are designed to identify risky behaviours, and minimize them and their impacts.

Picture a heavy smoker who takes regular coffee breaks outside with their coworkers to share some banter, and have a cigarette. Quitting means giving up the nicotine, and giving up the social time with coworkers.

Quitting in this scenario is isolating. However, a company with a workplace wellness program that introduces a strategy, support, and system for its employees to quit smoking reduces that isolation and turns quitting into the group activity.

Companies that introduce smoking cessation programs typically see some of the highest successes in terms of shifts in workplace wellness.

Other secondary interventions might include weight loss programs, high blood pressure screening, or checking for cardiovascular risk factors. Ideally when these interventions are successful, they’ll save employers money down the line, so they’re keen to encourage them.

Sometimes, companies introduce the added incentive of cash or competition. While this may seem gimmicky, think of it as another way to team build and engage with your coworkers, but instead of beers after work, it’s a little friendly competition and longer lasting impacts. You may find you enjoy it more than you think.

Tertiary Programs: Making the Best of a Bad Situation

At the end of the list of workplace wellness offerings are tertiary interventions. These work to slow or minimize the impact of existing conditions. Tertiary interventions can include counseling to help an employee deal with a chronic condition, programs to encourage medication adherence, and ready access to appropriate health professionals.

Tertiary interventions may seem like the most necessary offerings, and in terms of immediate impact they probably are. Primary and secondary interventions aim to prevent the need for tertiary ones. If these are the programs that would benefit you most though, the number one thing is to use them.

Dealing with a health condition can add to the existing stress of a job. By getting the appropriate help, you may find your day to day becomes significantly easier, and your work improves.

Go to a doctor regularly if they’re available through your program to stay up to date, and use the tools you need to track your health. The benefits will extend beyond your workplace performance.

Making the Program Your Own

At the end of the day, if your workplace wellness program isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to get involved. The program should benefit the employee and the employer in the long run, if the balance is off, maybe it needs some restructuring.

There are plenty of good examples of effective workplace wellness programs out there to bring to your employers attention.

If your San Diego workplace is open to it, consider initiating feedback sessions on the program to collect information on what the team as a whole would like to see. There’s no point in buying a set of heavy weights for a team who would benefit more from a treadmill or yoga.

Get engaged, get talking, and get healthier. The best workplace wellness program is one that gets used.