Wellness Programs - Small versus Big Business Choices.

Can a small company support corporate wellness? Absolutely! In truth, in some ways it is easier to create a healthful workplace in a small company than in a big company.

Limited resources, specifically in small companies, can prevent an employer from setting up a wellness program. Reasons can include -

• lack of budget resources;

• lack of staff;

• lack of senior-level support;

• little knowledge of the wellness concept and;

• concern about making wellness available to all staff members.

According to the Wellness Councils of America, some small corporation owners might have the wrong idea of what’s involved in having a wellness program.

Some employers are not sure a program would really work and others feel that trying to change personal lifestyle behaviours is intruding and “none of their business”.  

Perhaps they don’t understand that it does not need to be costly and that they don’t need special staff. They may not realize that some staff would like to see some healthy changes and would help make things happen in their workplace.

It can be Done

Many small companies have found ways to have a wellness program that works for them. They keep the cost and effort to a minimum and still have results that are positive for everyone.

In 2006, Graham Lowe wrote a report on the best places to work in Calgary. He said that healthy workplaces often have a “positive workplace culture”.  In a workplace with a positive culture, people  feel appreciated, valued, and trusted.

Dr. Lowe says it’s easier for a small workplace to have a positive workplace culture than for a large workplace. Many staff members prefer to work for a small corporation, he says, because it provides more opportunities to work closely with others and create a sense of community.

In his report, Dr. Lowe says the most successful companies with fewer than 100 workers have -

• excellent staff member benefits;

• policies that promote a balance between work and personal life;

• flexible schedules;

• competitive salaries;

• great leadership with an emphasis on teamwork;

• environmentally responsible company policies;

• procedures for seeking staff member input; and

• a focus on placing employees’ personal wellness ahead of the personal gain of company leaders.

All or most of these elements are also components of a good wellness program.

Tips and Ideas

There are many ways to include wellness in a small company. You do not necessarily need a wellness professional or a fancy fitness center.

What you do need is support from management and a committee of a few committed individuals . Here are some ideas that your workplace can consider.

Communications and Promotion

• Send out a regular “wellness” newsletter in hard copy or online. Or send out a simple message like the weekly Healthful U Hot Tip.

• Use promotions that are already designed such as Healthy Workplace Week.

Active Living and Healthy Eating

•  Make certain to encourage staff to sign up for the Stairway to Health stair climbing competition.

• Get pedometers for staff members and track their steps.

• Rent a nearby school or community health club and offer exercise classes.

• Hire a local fitness instructor to give courses or lead stretch breaks. Costs can be shared with staff members.

• Install secure bicycle parking.

• Serve healthy alternatives at company meetings and lunches.

Policy and Organizational Programs

• Hire an ergonomics specialist to assess workstations.

• Create policies to support work-life balance (for example, mandatory vacations, flextime, limits to work and e-mail on personal time).

• Provide a wellness subsidy for a selection of health and leadership activities and courses.

• Offer financial incentives to be healthful.

• Offer wellness incentives as rewards and recognition for a job well done.

• Conduct an organizational health audit (NQI Healthy Workplace Week).

• Become a partner with the community (for example, daycare, gyms, festivals, parks, restaurants).

• Spread the workload. Be sure to set up a wellness committee.

Small companies may not have a lot of time, money, or HR available for a wellness program. But they often have a immense advantage over large companies-a positive workplace culture.

That is a excellent foundation for a wellness program. When workers are satisfied, enjoy their work environment, they’re more productive, and tend to be healthier.  With a little creativity and passion, small companies can create successful wellness programs.

Get support from management, form a committee of two or more and discover the possibilities!