This is another fun activity focusing on healthy weight loss or maintenance.

o  Participants select a secret code name (the name of a Hollywood star or other celebrity).

o  Participants weigh-in with a “trusted” confident privately – at which time a healthy weight goal is set for the period of the contest.

o  Post a chart with everyone’s secret name assigning each a starting weight of zero.

o  Participants weigh themselves weekly and submit the weight with their code name on the paper.

o  Weight is expressed in relation to a beginning weight of zero. for  instance +4 would indicate a weight gain of four pounds; while

Use staff member interest surveys to follow up on staff member interests that are expressed.  The definition of health is broad, so brown bag presentations may also cover a wide variety of topics. Topics might include physical, mental, emotional, women’s health, men’s health, financial health, etc.

Considerations for brown bag presentations –

o  Brown bag sessions are good for awareness building. This seed planting process can help personnel become more proactive about healthful choices.

o  Don’t schedule the wellness program for the full hour – generally 40 minutes or so works best. This will allow folks a chance to come and go, grab a quick bite, ask questions, etc.

o  When the subject matter is sensitive, like domestic violence, substance abuse, etc., it is possible people will be reluctant to attend for fear of being associated publicly with the problem. They will, notwithstanding, attend if the focus is on assisting family members, colleagues, etc.

o  Ensure that workers hear valuable information and will leave with tools and resources to carry out the message. Make sure to work with the presenter on information strategies that work for your staff member group.

o  Promotional materials should publicize the wellness program with a name that indicates the brown bag focus. Include all other pertinent information like where, who, when, etc.

o  Some topics that can’t be covered in one session may  be offered in a short series. It’ll work best to schedule one session each week in lieu of several sessions in one week.

For example, you could offer a 3-week series on healthful eating instead of trying to cram all the information into one session.

o  A catchy title can draw individuals  to the event.  An example of this would be calling lunchtime presentations “Noonlighting”

o  When possible, provide a free healthy snack for workers who attend.

o  To keep the momentum going, attempt setting up a routine monthly time and day for lunchtime seminars.

o  If staff work in shift or are in work groups in different geographical areas, devise a plan that offers equal attendance opportunity to all.

Resources –

1. Please see the idea list after this guide which offers a selection of resource topics of interest to workforce.

2. Every community has many person, specialists, or specialists from voluntary groups (heart, cancer, lung associations), special interest groups (Y’s, Red Cross, Weight Watcher’s, Safety Council, Alcoholics Anonymous), or the local health department as possibilities to present worksite sessions free or at a low cost.

Many of these contacts will also provide affordable materials.

3. Topic videos may be used for a brown bag session.

Or, arrange for low-fat potlucks encouraging workers to bring and share their favorite low fat or healthy dishes.

Considerations –

o  Make sure the selections actually taste good.

o  Provide a “fact sheet” with the names and price of the various products to assist participants if they want to purchase these products from the grocery store.

o  Give other written information on good nutrition for any interested participants to take. Make use of web sites and other resources listed in the Resource Section at the end of this guide.

o  Give small tasting spoons or wooden ice cream tasters.

o  It does not take much of each item to give participants a taste of the food or dish. It isn’t necessary to purchase enough, or bring enough, food to provide a meal.

o  Make sure to set up the tasting room after lunch so participants can go in on their own and sample.

o  Watch for overly sugary items

o  Staff Members may be asked to voluntarily submit suggestions, advice, and strategies related to particular healthy practices they have successfully implemented in their lives.

For  instance, ex-smokers can be asked to submit suggestions about what worked for them when they quit; then those ideas can be shared in newsletters, flyers, classes, etc.

o  Topics like weight control, stress management, managing change, increasing exercise, etc. lend themselves to this development of collective wisdom sharing.

o  Behavior change support groups, developed based on worker interest in making healthful change, can meet on a regular basis to share ideas, resources, support, etc. Health promotion programs can offer some help and facilitation in getting a group started.

The group then its self takes charge of keeping the group going. Periodically the wellness program can offer to bring in a speaker or presenter on a topic relevant to the group.

Be sure to help the group establish ground rules that everyone agrees to before the group is left on its own.

o  obtain resource materials;
o  participate in offered medical screenings (vision, hearing, blood, cholesterol, cancer, dental, etc.);
o  observe demonstrations on the use of fitness equipment;
o  Attend mini-seminars on various health topics;
o  get free promotional items from local businesses;
o  sample healthful foods; and
o  obtain information about their health benefit plan.

Some corporations feature a “health and benefit fair” which includes providers representing the various employee benefit plans (long-term disability, retirement, etc.) available to staff members through their corporation.

Considerations when coordinating a wellness fair –

o  Setting up a successful wellness fair takes comprehensive time. Time issues must be taken into account in planning and organizing such an event.  The most time eating part is typically contacting potential participants, making arrangements for their participation, confirming their participation, and establishing up the day of the event.

o  Sufficient space, tables and chairs must available to allow for the number of providers invited. Some providers may have portable displays or materials that’ll require additional space, access to electrical outlets, or other logistical considerations that ought to be discussed before the wellness fair.

o  Vendors are going to be hoping to make contact with as many persons as possible during the event. Securing their commitment to future health fairs requires that every effort be made to promote participation by publicizing the event, choosing the appropriate venue, and offering incentives.

o  When possible, locate the wellness fair in an area with heavy foot traffic.

o  Ask vendors to supply free materials at their table and to make a donation to a prize drawing. Follow all corporation policies when soliciting donations.

o  As an idea to increase staff member participation and to keep interest high, each attendee could be given a “passport”, similar to a bingo card, to be signed by each vendor.  The signed passport becomes the ticket for the prize drawings. Such drawings should take place every 15 or 30 minutes.

o  Consider teaming up with neighboring businesss to stage a wellness fair. A team effort will spread out the work and maximize participation.

Ideas for a Benefits Fair –

Invite representatives from each of your staff member benefits provider groups. Ask each vendor to be prepared to answer staff member questions regarding their health promotion program. Representatives could include –

o  Retirement plan representative.

o  Long-term disability plan representative.

o  Health plan representative.

o  Healthy Benefits representative.

o  Contract cell phone representative (if applicable).

o  Local savings and loan or credit union representative.

o  Workers’ compensation representative.

Limited Space for a Wellness Fair – If space is limited conduct the fair during lunch time. Place stations in company hallways or in individual small conference or office rooms scattered throughout the building.

Give a map with all the stations listed. Hold a free drawing awarding a prize for anyone who goes to 75 percent of the stations. Use a punch card or similar method to verify.

Resources for health and benefit fairs coordination –

Assume a broad definition of “health” and reflect that by including a variety of vendors and services involved with physical, mental, financial and social health.

For  instance, health agencies, safety corporations, benefits providers, local health care facilities, recreational facilities, parks, financial planners, childcare referrals, EAP, fitness centers, health food stores, library, alternative and complementary medicine providers, etc.

o  Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate.

o  Cholesterol (typically a finger-stick total cholesterol test, either fasting or non-fasting).

o  Blood glucose (diabetes screening).

o  Height and weight.

o  Percent body fat and/or BMI (BMI).

o  Fitness level.

o  Bone density.

o  Posture assessment.

Considerations when offering workplace screenings –

o  Medical screenings should be conducted by certified, and at times, certified individuals.

o  Medical screenings should be conducted in a location that allows for privacy and confidentiality.

o  Time for discussion and explanation screening results ought to be permitted as part of the screening process.

o  A process should be in place for referral for participants whose results are indicative of a need for further medical examination.

o  Screenings may be very costly to the overall wellness budget OR there might  be no cost to the health promotion program when participants are willing to cover the cost of the assessment themselves.

For  instance, cholesterol and glucose testing normally costs twenty to twenty-five dollars per individuals, per exam. Staff Members might  be willing to pay for screening in exchange for the convenience of having the screening at work.

o  It typically works best to have scheduled appointments at intervals sufficient to allow time for the assessment and a brief discussion of results. As a result, a registration and scheduling process ought to be devised.

o  Some kinds of screening, such as fitness testing, require participants to bring casual clothes in which to do the testing. Workers should be notified of the need to dress in a specific manner for the screening.

o  To ensure high attendance at screening events, it is advisable to coordinate promotion of the event with reminders to personnel.

o  Supply workers with “screening preparation” guidelines to remind them how to prepare for the most precise screening results.

Resources for workplace screenings –

1. Speak with a wellness consultant or biometric screening organization.

2. When worker participation is low for on-site Healthy Benefits screenings, or if offering additional workplace screening is an option, check with the community health or outreach department of your local hospital, health education department, occupational health department or workplace health department as to screenings they may offer.

3. Local health clubs might also have qualified staff for some kinds of screenings, such as fitness testing or body fat assessment.

Points to Consider

Using Licensed Specialists

Hire expertly licensed instructors to lead fitness classes (whether on or offsite) or to run workplace lunch and learn sessions. It is also a good idea to ask the instructor for references.

When you hire instructors, make sure that your insurance protects both the instructor and your corporation.

Risk Management

Whether or not we like it or not, liability is an issue these days.

Risk management plans don’t have to be complicated or expensive. for  instance, part of the plan might require that workers complete fitness appraisals and sign statements accepting the possible risks involved in physical activity.

It compensates to be prepared. Safety and emergency policies and procedures reduce the risk of loss both to individuals and to your business.

Ask employees to sign a waiver when participating in both on-site and offsite activities. for liability reasons, employees must understand the risks involved in participating in the activity and understand that they’re waiving their right to sue.

The employee shouldn’t be asked to sign the waiver just before the activity.  The waiver may  be invalid if workers claim that they did not fully understand the risks.

Other Safety Tips

Here’s a list of some other safety tips to keep in mindwhen planning exercise.

Look at the environment where workers are active –

o  Sidewalks ought to be clear of ice and snow, away from falling debris or snow, and have clearly marked curbs and safe crosswalks.

o  Stairwells should be well-lit and in good condition and have handrails and safety features, so that workers are not locked out of floors.

o  Fitness facilities should’ve proper flooring, good ventilation, and access to water and an emergency telephone.

Give biometric testing for employees participating in activities –

o  PAR-Q

o  PAR-MEDX for Pregnancy

Following are some other important safety factors –

o  First-aid kit and automated external defibrillator on site.

o  Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place and practised.

o  Commercial grade fitness equipment (not donated, “hand me down” equipment).

o  Documented equipment inspection and maintenance schedule.

o  Orientation of equipment and wellness programs done by qualified expert with a physical activity background.

It’s Easier to be Active When