A presentation recently done at the Health Benefits Conference and Expo by Dr. Dee Edington, founder and professor of the University of Michigan Health Management Research Center, pointed out a large misstep that companies often take in their wellness programs by focusing on the weaknesses of employees health results in health risk assessments.
He went as far to say, “I wish I could take it all back” – the health assessments themselves?
Not necessarily, but the focus on negative feedback to the employees.
Simply showing individuals what’s wrong with them and not accounting for what they are doing right, doesn’t produce the results companies are looking for. By focusing on positive wellness, building on the employee’s strengths, and providing guidance on healthy behaviors, employees gain the motivation needed to make healthy changes.
Here are 3 ways you can begin to use the power of positivity in your program:
1. Create a Positive Outlook From the Beginning
A positive mission statement for a wellness program is the road map to success and every wellness plan needs one. Focus on developing this core statement with positive outcomes for the employees rather than saving the company money or other employer-centric objectives.
Employees will be more apt to participate when your mission statement focuses on their individual health goals and creating a healthy work environment.
Here is an example mission statement from a WELCOA award winning company – Hasbro:
“The Health and Safety services of Hasbro promotes an atmosphere which supports the maintenance of employee health; the prevention, detection, treatment, and rehabilitation of employees; consultation with management on health related issues; and continuing education and professional growth of the occupational health and safety staff.”
Developing this strong positive outlook can gives you a solid action plan; use it to help determine what wellness initiatives to offer, how to measure the success of your program and rally your wellness team behind it!
2. Develop Positive Recognition
Dr. Edington also mentioned in his talk, “You can never have enough money to drive everyone to be healthy.” And “Positive recognition is more powerful than any incentive.”
When you recognize people for building on healthy behaviors you are telling them so many things. You are telling them you can achieve this. You are telling them that we care that you can achieve this.
By recognizing employees publically in the company in wellness newsletters, at company meetings, or on the bulletin board you are spreading the news to others that they also will be recognized for their efforts. The power of simple positive recognition can go a long way in creating the environment employees need to succeed in their path to a healthier lifestyle, while keeping your wellness budget intact.
3. Build Positive Support
You can teach healthy eating behaviors, emphasize the necessity for physical activity, and preach about drinking 8 glasses of water per day, but if don’t have the environment that supports these behaviors your program will fail. After setting your positive outlook and choosing your initiatives, evaluate your work environment to see if it provides the support needed for your wellness program.
- What kind of healthy foods do your vending machines and cafeteria offer?
- Is there reasonable access to a walking area in or around the building and does timing allow for at least a 10 minute walk during the work day?
- Is there good drinking water available?
Small supportive changes will set employees up for success while showing the company’s support for the wellness vision.
It can be easy to get caught up in the all that is wrong with an employee health population and all of the obstacles to putting together an effective wellness program, but take a step back, look for the strengths of the organization that can be built upon, and create a positive outlook for your program.