2015 Wellness Resources
Best Practices: Developing a Wellness Strategy
Supplemental Guide to 2015 Wellness Toolkit
Table of Contents
Best Practices: Developing a Wellness Strategy
Capturing Senior-Level Support.................................................................................3
Sample Leadership Letters.......................................................................................3
Wellness Committee Member Invitation Letter.......................................................6
Creating Wellness Team/Committee...........................................................................7
Wellness Committee Job Description......................................................................7
Wellness Chair Responsibilities ..............................................................................8
Wellness Committee Guidelines .............................................................................9
Wellness Committee Mission and Goal Worksheet................................................10
Developing an Operating Plan..................................................................................11
Wellness Mission Statement and Guiding Principals.............................................11
Worksite Wellness Goals and Objectives................................................................11
Workplace Wellness Awards...................................................................................13
Choosing Appropriate Health Initiatives..................................................................14
General Health Education.....................................................................................14
Career Well-Being..................................................................................................14
Social/Emotional Well-Being.................................................................................14
Financial Well-Being..............................................................................................15
Physical Well-Being...............................................................................................15
Community Well-Being.........................................................................................17
Workplace Wellness: National Resources...............................................................17
Workplace Wellness: Ultimate Financial Calendar.................................................21
Health Fair Planning Timeline .............................................................................26
Health Fair Vendor Invitation Letter ....................................................................27
Health Fair Vendor Response Form ......................................................................28
Establishing a Supportive Environment...................................................................29
Safety and Natural Living Resources .....................................................................29
Sample Physical Activity Worksite Policy..............................................................30
Sample Healthy Food Policy..................................................................................31
The 2015 Wellness Resources booklet is not
intended to be exhaustive, nor should any
discussion or opinions be construed as legal
advice. Readers should contact legal counsel
for legal advice.
Sample Worksite Breastfeeding Policy...................................................................32
2015 Tobacco Affidavit..........................................................................................33
Sample leadership letters
Dear Employee:
ABC Company cares about its employees and we’re continually making
improvements to make ABC Company a great place to work. I would like to take
this opportunity to tell you about an exciting new initiative. In January 2015 we
will be launching our wellness strategy, <<name of program here>>. This will
provide all of us with opportunities to participate in health promotion activities
and receive information about ways to improve our health.
Our ultimate goal is to ensure that ABC Company supports each employee in
maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and that ABC supports the choices you make every
day to improve and maintain your heath.
There are several steps in developing a well-being culture and you will be hearing
more about these shortly. Over the coming weeks and months, there will be several
opportunities for you to offer ideas, be involved and, ultimately, make choices that
can positively influence your health.
Although a healthy lifestyle is a personal choice, our wellness initiatives will provide
you with information and opportunities to make it easier for you to make healthy
choices. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to the fullest.
ABC Company CEO
Sample
Leadership Letter
Dear Employees:
Is your health important to you? It’s important to us. We recognize that <<insert
organization’s name>> most valuable resource is its employees, and that the health
and wellness of our employees has a direct impact upon the continued success of
our organization. Common sense tells us healthier individuals can build a stronger,
more productive workforce. Therefore, we are implementing initiatives for our
employees and providing a work environment that supports healthy living and
individual well-being.
We are proud to introduce the <<insert name of wellness program here>> a
Wellness Partnership with <<insert name here>>. This partnership will enable us
to expand our programming, provide greater opportunity for employees to engage
in health and wellness programs, and deliver targeted screening and education
programs directly to the workplace.
To address these growing health concerns and keep all <<insert organization’s
name>> employees in the best health possible, we will be bringing you a year
full of new and interactive programs designed to keep you healthy and informed.
Throughout the year you will have the opportunity to take part in several
educational initiatives and a variety of behavior-change programs designed to help
you establish healthy habits.
I, along with the rest of the management team at <<insert organization’s name>>,
strongly encourage you to embrace this new culture of wellness and to take part in
the opportunities that will be made available to you through the wellness program.
We are committed to improving the health of all employees and family members
while at the same time improving productivity at work and reducing our healthcare
costs.
We hope that you will find the <<insert name of wellness program here>> to be
fun, informative, and beneficial in improving the overall quality of life for you and
your family.
Sincerely,
ABC Company CEO
Dear Employee:
Company ABC cares about its employees and we’re continually making
improvements to make the Company ABC a great place to work. We recognize
that the Company’s most valuable resource is its employees, and that the health
and wellness of our employees has a direct impact on the continued success of the
Company.
I am pleased to announce that in the coming months we will be introducing a
new evolution to our wellness program — Well-Being. Wellness is more than just
physical health, it encompasses career, social, financial and community aspects
as well. We will focus on these essentials of Well-Being throughout the year and
integrate them into our culture. We are also unveiling a new name/slogan for our
program to accompany our revamped focus, Well-Being, which will be associated
with all materials moving forward.
The first step to our new approach will be to get our own employees involved
in the next phases of the program by offering a wellness interest survey. We are
interested in what you think and intend to incorporate your needs and interests
into the program. The survey will be sent to you via email next month so keep an
eye out for it.
Over the coming weeks and months, there will be several additional opportunities
for you to offer ideas, be involved and ultimately, make choices that can positively
influence your health.
Wellness programs have been implemented in other companies around the
Midwest and have seen great results. We think a wellness program has the potential
to benefit our organization and employees, and I hope you will support this
initiative with your participation.
ABC Company
Sample
Leadership Letter
Wellness Committee Member Invitation Letter
Dear Name:
Congratulations! You have been selected to be a part of an exciting opportunity
at (Company Name). Beginning this year, we will be offering a wellness program
for our employees and we want your input from the ground floor. You have
continually shown effective time management skills, an ability to lead a group in
multiple settings and dedication to the company and our values. As a committee
member, your responsibilities will involve a commitment to:
•Identify goals and objectives for the Wellness Program at (Company Name).
•Assist the committee members in creating a program year calendar that
strives to meet the goals of the program to include wellness initiatives and a
communication strategy within budgetary constraints.
•Promote all wellness initiatives to your department and/or peers through active
involvement and communication efforts defined by the committee.
•Participate in monthly committee meetings and offer suggestions, feedback and
new ideas regarding the wellness program.
We see great potential for the wellness program, but it cannot be done without a
dedicated committee to help the program thrive. We also understand that the time
constraints of your day-to day job might prevent you from devoting the necessary
time and attention required to be a committee member. If you do not feel that you
can contribute adequate time and efforts to help the wellness program succeed,
please know that we support your decision and respect your ability to effectively
manage your time.
Please respond to our request by (date)
Sincerely,
Wellness Program Contact
Wellness Committee Job Description
Creating a cohesive wellness team is one of the most important things a company can do to ensure program success. Without
this team of individuals from within the company, it’s hard to reach the total population on ground level.
Purpose
The Wellness Program Committee has been created to enhance the acceptance and success of the Wellness Program activities
by encouraging employee ownership of the program.
Meeetings
Wellness Committee members will be invited to attend a conference call monthly. During these meetings, a member will lead
it to discuss their successes within their assigned area. They will cover what they initiated, how they did so and the results
allowing members to take ownership of the program in their own way and share the successes with their areas. The Wellness
Committee will have the opportunity to ask questions, give their feedback, and give suggestions on how the program and
participation could be improved.
Qualifications
•Self motivated with a passion to help fellow associates enhance their quality of life.
•Commitment to help the Wellness Program succeed.
•Available to meet at least once a month. (Must attend at least 60% of meetings to earn 100 Wellness Points.)
•Must have a supervisor or manager approval – see attached form.
•Must currently be in good performance standing (not on notice of counseling).
Responsibilities
•Assist the Wellness Program Manager with program planning – offer suggestions for activities and challenges among
coworkers.
•Initiate onsite/offsite challenges within their business units.
•Present wellness initiatives during department/team meetings.
•Provide feedback to the Program Manager about any thoughts, ideas and suggestions expressed by coworkers.
•Recommend policy and environmental changes that are aimed at improving the health and safety of (Company) associates.
Approval
Associates who are interested must ask their supervisor/manager to sign the “Wellness Committee Approval Form.” Signed
form must be sent to Wellness Program Manager via fax, email, or interoffice mail.
Wellness Program Contact
Name:
Phone:
Email:
Wellness CHAIR RESPONSIBILITIES
»»Serve as committee Chair for a minimum of 12 months.
»»Embrace the Employee Wellness Mission.
»»Recruit members for the Wellness Committee. The committees should reflect
the cultural, educational and occupational diversity of the division/department
that it represents. Five to twelve members on the committee are recommended.
»»Ensure that committees are active and engaged in wellness programs.
»»Attend monthly committee Chair conference calls or face-to-face meetings or
arrange for a stand-in (if applicable).
»»Share ideas/committee accomplishments during committee Chair meetings or
via email or phone to your assigned Wellness Manager (if applicable).
»»Serve as the primary point of contact for all Employee Wellness communication
(for employee wellness team and employees).
»»Share relevant information obtained from meetings with wellness committee
and with pertinent employees in department/division (ensure that information
trickles down to employee level).
»»Distribute all flyers and promotional material for Employee Wellness events and
activities to members of wellness committees and to employees in department/
division.
»»Schedule and facilitate regular committee meetings (recommend at least
monthly).
»»Establish an agenda for committee meetings.
»»Oversee the planning and execution of required committee wellness initiatives.
»»Work with employee wellness marketing manager or use flyer templates to
develop appropriate marketing materials for wellness initiatives.
»»Help to find a successor when term is complete.
Wellness Committee Guideline of First Steps
1. Identify Committee Members.
2. Establish Mission Statement.
3. First Meeting — Establish Committee Roles and Choose a Leader.
4. Second Meeting — Obtain Employee Opinions.
5. Third Meeting — Develop an Action Plan.
6. Fourth Meeting — Establish Metrics.
7. Fifth Meeting — Update Executives Program Progress.
8. Year-End Meeting — Evaluate Committee Activities and Accomplishments.
Mission Statement Examples
“The mission of the Worksite Wellness Committee is to establish and maintain a worksite that encourages environmental and
social support for a healthy lifestyle.”
“To encourage employees’ personal and professional productivity, and physical and mental well-being, the mission of the
Worksite Wellness Committee shall be to promote a worksite culture that supports employees’ desire to make healthy lifestyle
choices.”
“Because employees spend 40 hours a week at work, it is important that the worksite be a healthy place to work and support
healthy choices for employees. It is the mission of the Worksite Wellness Committee to work toward implementing policies
that support a healthy worksite and healthy employees.”
“The worksite wellness committee will work to provide opportunities for employees to develop healthier lifestyles by
supporting the adoption of habits and attitudes that contribute to their positive well-being.”
Wellness Committee Mission and Goal Worksheet
Current Vision: (write your current vision below)
Mission: (write your current mission below, if you have one)
Definition: A mission statement is a brief, concise statement which defines the work we do, for whom and why. It is our
purpose and reason for existence and it defines our unique contribution.
About Committee Mission Statements: The mission statement clarifies, from each member’s point of view, the focus
and direction of the team. Accomplishing the mission of the team should take the team towards its vision. The mission
statement should be somewhat uplifting but more practical and here and now than the vision. It should be no more than a
paragraph in length. Only team members should be involved in its development. The purpose of the mission statement is
for each member to be very clear on what the team is about. It is also useful for the rest of the organization to understand
why we exist.
In order to create the committee mission statement, consider the following:
»»Who is our customer — to whom do we deliver our outputs?
»»What products or services do we provide?
»»What is our unique contribution to the organization that would not be happening if we did not exist?
»»Why does the customer need us?
»»How would we like to be seen by our customers or to be known within the organization?
(Company name)exists to do what?
For whom?
Why?
Goals: What are the major things we want to accomplish over what period of time to accomplish our mission?
»»
»»
»»
Wellness mission statement and guiding principle examples
“To support our organization’s commitment to exceeding the
expectations of our employees, we will provide a high quality
of work life through a comprehensive wellness program and
other activities that contribute to the health and well-being
of our employees.”
“We believe our employees represent our most important
resource; their health and well-being are crucial to this
organization and its goals.”
“We have a goal and long-term commitment to create an
environment supportive of positive health habits, both
physically and mentally, and to provide opportunities
for employees to learn skills for high-level wellness, self-
responsibility, nutritional awareness, physical fitness, stress
management and environmental sensitivity. This program
will inspire our employees to meet corporate objectives
efficiently.”
To encourage employees’ personal and professional
productivity, and physical and mental well-being, the mission
of the Wellness Committee shall be to foster a worksite
culture that supports anyone’s desire to make healthy lifestyle
choices.
Our organization seeks to establish and maintain a workplace
where environmental and social changes compatible with a
healthy lifestyle are encouraged and supported.
Worksite wellness goals and objectives
Goals. Goals are the long-term accomplishments hoped to
be achieved from the program. They are more likely to be
accomplished when they are realistically set, reflect the needs
of both management and employees, and flow naturally from
the data collected. Goals should include clear time limits,
so it is easy to determine whether or not the goal has been
accomplished. The following is an example of a wellness
program goal:
»»ABC Company will reduce the prevalence of employee
smoking from 35 percent to 25 percent by the end of the
next fiscal year.
Objectives. Objectives are the tactics you will implement
in order to achieve the stated goals. They should be written
like goals so that it is clear whether or not they have been
accomplished and include specific action steps along with
a timeline for completion. The following are examples of
objectives that would each be supported by particular actions
steps:
»»By x date, ABC Company will implement a smoke-free
workplace policy.
»»By x date, ABC Company will offer all employees a health
risk appraisal and will follow up with smokers by x date.
»»By x date, ABC Company will offer employees and their
spouses smoking cessation classes to help them to quit
smoking.
»»In November, ABC Company will participate in the
American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout.
Sample Goals and Objectives
»»Reduce the number of employees who smoke from XX
percent to XX percent by the end of the next fiscal year.
»»Reduce the overall use of sick leave by at least two percent
from the previous year, after the first full year of program
operation.
»»Improve employees’ satisfaction with the company, as
measured by employee satisfaction surveys conducted
before and after the first full year of program operation.
Increase the average score by at least 10 percent.
»»Drink more water. Often thought of as a summer-only goal, it is important to
drink enough water all year round — you need just as much water in the winter as
in the summer, and even more if you are exercising. Set a daily amount with a log.
»»Reduce stress. A recent Harris Interactive poll concluded that 30 percent of
Americans do not use their vacation days, and, instead, give them back to the
company — not only increasing your stress but also reducing your productivity.
In considering how you might reduce your stress this year, think about getting
away more often. Make sure your home offers an escape from the world. Take
advantage of weekend getaways, and plan and take vacations. There are a
number of companies that are catering to people who are wanting to reduce
their stress on a vacation. For example, Royal Caribbean cruise lines offers both
active adventure (rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rinks) and peaceful relaxation
(seaweed wraps and hot stone massages) on board its ships.
»»Incentive goal example. Faced with only 26% of employees participating in
their employee health and wellness program, Johnson & Johnson offered
employees a $500 discount on medical insurance costs if they completed a
health risk profile. The number of employees participating in the Johnson &
Johnson corporate fitness program jumped after they offered the incentive — to
more than 93%. Options: a free massage, private training session with your
company’s wellness coach or health food gift certificate encourages even more
healthy lifestyle choices.
»»“Fit with 5” 10-week program for the workplace that focuses on increasing
physical activity and intake of fruits and vegetables. The goal is for workers
to do a total of at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day for five days of
the week and to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Having this
program at the worksite will create an environment that promotes and supports
healthy behaviors.
»»Increase percentage of employees who have knowledge of wellness. Post statistics,
information, tips, guidelines, facts, etc., on a daily, weekly, biweekly basis in
high-traffic areas.
»»Increase percentage of employees who properly utilize health plan. Post options,
programs, etc., on a weekly, monthly basis to help alleviate/combat health
plan costs.
»»Replace 3. Replace 3 items in your diet with one of the following: whole grains,
fruits and/or vegetables for 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks — keeping a journal.
»»Reduce the percentage of absenteeism between the months of November and
March with increased education in mid-fall in regards to disease 8 bacteria,
sanitation, flu, and/or self-cleanliness, etc.
Workplace Wellness Awards
National Wellness Awards
State Wellness Awards
Welcoa Well Workplace Awards
Indiana- Wellness Council of Indiana Achieve Well Award
http://www.welcoa.org/wellworkplace/index.
php?category=19
http://www.wellnessindiana.org/index.php/
achieve-well-worksite-wellness-certification/
Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles
Nashville, TN Mayors Workplace Challenge
http://www.businessgrouphealth.org/bestemployers/index.
cfm?event=behl.about
http://www.mayorsworkplacechallenge.com/healthy.aspx
Healthiest Employers Awards (By State)
http://www.healthiestemployers.com/
http://www.healthiestemployers.com/events
Institute for Health and Productivity Management
http://www.ihpm.org/?utm_source=MailingList&utm_
medium=email&utm_campaign=April+4+2013
Alliance for Workplace Excellence Health and Wellness
Seal of Approval
Nebraska Governor’s Excellence in Wellness Award
https://www.nebraska.gov/wellness/index.cgi
Ohio- Healthy Ohio Worksite Award
http://www.healthyohioprogram.org/businesses/howkawd.
aspx
Ohio Foundation for Healthy Communities
http://members.ohanet.org/Wellness/Home/
Wisconsin-
http://www.excellentworkplace.org/awards-health.html
http://forthealthcare.com/workplace-wellness-award.php
American Heart Association Fit-Friendly Companies
Award
School Wellness Awards
www.startwalkingnow.org/start_workplace_fit_friendly.jsp
https://dhpe.site-ym.com/?Programs_SEWAward
Corporate Health Achievement Award
www.chaa.org
Directors of Health Promotion and Education
General Health Education
»»Have a current policy outlining the requirements and
functions of a comprehensive workplace wellness program
inclusive of the 5 essentials of well-being.
»»Have a wellness plan in place that addresses the purpose,
nature, duration, resources required, participants in, and
expected results of a workplace wellness program.
»»Have a strong ongoing communication strategy in place
to enhance wellness program engagement.
»»Orient employees to the wellness program and give them
copies of the physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco use
policies.
»»Have a committee that meets at least once a month to
oversee the wellness program.
»»Offer regular health education presentations on various
physical activity, nutrition, and wellness-related topics.
Ask voluntary health associations, healthcare providers,
and/or public health agencies to offer on-site education
classes.
»»Host a health fair as a kickoff event or as a celebration for
completion of a wellness campaign.
»»Conduct preventive wellness screenings for blood pressure,
body composition, blood cholesterol, and diabetes.
»»Build education around Best Health and Wellness
Smartphone Applications.
»»Build education around community Health and Wellness
Resources.
Career Well-Being
»»Effectively recruit, retain, recognize and reward employees
at all levels.
»»Identify the right employees with the right skills; allowing
employees the opportunity to utilize their strengths every
day.
»»Offer career development, ongoing training and
opportunity for growth. (Educational Reimbursement,
Professional Conferences, etc.)
»»Offer open communication and mentorship opportunities
with senior leadership.
»»Strengthen the mutual connections in your networks.
Social/Emotional Well-Being
»»Create opportunities to build employee relationships that
foster a sense of team and camaraderie.
»»Offer departmental and company outings.
»»Offer the opportunity to strengthen connections within
the organization.
»»Hold employee service awards reception.
»»Host all company meetings and on-site events.
»»Offer team building challenges, events and workshops.
»»Promote Employee Assistance Program offerings.
»»Promote resiliency development opportunities in the
workspace.
»»Promote positive workplace environment.
»»Offer on-site massage, yoga, ayurveda or acupuncture to
reduce stress and promote relaxation.
»»Provide education around relaxation and medication
community resources and smartphone applications (i.e.,
Gratitude Journal, Equanimity and Office Yoga).
Financial Well-Being
»»Provide resources to help employees understand their
finances.
»»Offer targeted financial education (including:
retirement, savings, earnings, banking, credit, debt,
loans & mortgages, investing, taxes, insurance and estate
planning).
»»Automatically enroll employees into a retirement fund
(match investment).
»»Offer free parking and commuter benefits.
»»Aid with career development, ongoing training and
opportunities for growth (Educational Reimbursement,
Professional Conferences, etc.)
»»Offer discounts to local gyms, yoga studios, farmers’
markets or community recreational centers.
»»Offer an Employee Assistance Program to discuss
monetary stressors.
»»See the Ultimate Financial Calendar on page 21 - 25 for
more information.
Physical Well-Being
Nutrition
»»Modify worksite vending contracts to increase the
number of healthy options, or utilize healthy vending
company (Sprout, Essentially Organic, Fresh and
Healthy).
»»Ensure on-site cafeterias follow healthy cooking practices
and set nutritional standards for foods served that align
with the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
»»Use competitive pricing (price non-nutritious items in
vending machines and cafeterias at higher prices).
»»Provide cookbooks, food preparation, taste tasting and
cooking classes for employees’ families.
»»Label foods to show serving size and/or nutritional
content.
»»Provide food models, food scales for weighing and
pictures to help employees assess portion size.
»»Offer healthy foods at meetings, conferences, and catered
events.
»»Offer employee-led campaigns, demonstrations or
programs (i.e., Munch Madness Challenge, Super Bowl
Chili Cookoff).
»»Offer local fruits and vegetables at the workplace (i.e.,
workplace farmers’ market or community supported
agriculture drop-off point, on-site gardening).
»»Provide protected time and dedicated space away from the
work area for breaks and lunch.
»»Make kitchen equipment available to employees.
»»Make water available throughout the day.
»»Provide education around Eating Healthy smartphone
applications (i.e., Fooducate, Shopwell, etc.)
»»Provide education around eating local, in season, fresh
produce (i.e., Farmshare, Eat Local App, Harvest App, etc.)
Breastfeeding
»»Support nursing mothers by providing mother rooms
for expressing milk in a secure and relaxed environment,
a refrigerator for storage of breast milk, policies that
support breast feeding, and lactation education programs.
»»Offer flexible scheduling and/or on-site or near-site child care
to allow for milk expression during the workday.
»»Adopt alternative work options (i.e., teleworking, parttime, extended maternity) for breastfeeding mothers
returning to work.
»»Educate personnel on the importance of supporting
breastfeeding coworkers.
»»Promote Fit4Mom (http://fit4mom.com/) resources.
Physical Activity
»»Educate employees about local gyms, yoga studios,
recreational centers, etc., in the community.
»»Provide and support physical activity events on-site or in
the community.
»»Provide on-site educational seminars and workshops supporting physical
activity (i.e., REI Clinics, Outdoor Sport Clinics, Sports Nutrition Guest
Speaker, Gait Analysis Clinics, Shoe Fitting, Train Your Brain, Fit4Mom, Line
Dancing, etc.)
»»Offer on-site fitness opportunities, such as on-site exercise facility, group classes,
personal training, walking clubs, biking clubs, etc.
»»Educate employees about National Outdoor Organizations (i.e., American
Discovery Trail, League of American Bicyclists, etc.)
»»Provide outdoor exercise areas such as fields and trails for employee use.
»»Map out on-site trails or nearby walking routes and destinations.
»»Have employees map out their own biking or walking route to and from work.
»»Provide bicycle racks in safe, convenient, and accessible locations.
»»Sponsor a bike-to-work day and reward employees who participate.
»»Offer employee-led Physical Activity Campaigns (i.e., Steps Challenge, Physical
Fitness Challenge, etc.)
»»Build education around physical activity smartphone applications (i.e., Nike
Training Club, FitBit, DailyBurn, etc.)
»»Offer flexible work hours to allow for physical activity during the day.
»»Support physical activity breaks during the workday, such as stretching or
walking.
»»Host walk-and-talk meetings.
Tobacco Cessation
»»Establish a company policy prohibiting tobacco use anywhere on the property.
»»Provide prompts/posters to support no-tobacco-use policy.
»»Policy supporting participation in smoking cessation activities during duty time
(flex-time).
»»Provide counseling through an individual, group, or telephone counseling
program on-site.
»»Provide counseling through a health plan sponsored individual, group, or
telephone counseling program.
»»Provide cessation medications through health insurance.
Community Well-Being
»»Identify now how you can volunteer or give back to your community based on your personal mission.
»»Have resources in place to support employees giving back to their communities, sponsorship for community events and
outreach in the area they live.
»»Build education around volunteer community resources and smarthphone applications (i.e., Volunteermatch App,
Charitymiles App, etc.)
»»Match employee charitable gift donations.
»»Develop a worksite culture that supports the idea that the employee is a part of something bigger than just oneself; that you
are all working together to strive for achievement in the corporate mission and goals.
»»Promote family and community involvement in events, awards and dinners.
Workplace Wellness: National Resources
General Health Education
»»Wellness Council of America (WELCOA): http://www.welcoa.org/freeresources/index.php?category=12
»»National Wellness Institute: http://www.nationalwellness.org/
»»CDC’s Healthier Worksite Initiative: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/index.htm
»»CDC’s Workplace Health Promotion: http://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/
»»Partnership for Prevention: http://www.prevent.org/Topics.aspx?eaID=1&topicID=52
»»Institute for Health and Productivity Management (IHPM): http://www.ihpm.org/
»»National Business Group on Health (NBGH): http://www.businessgrouphealth.org/
»»International Association for Worksite Health Promotion (IAWHP):
http://www.acsm-iawhp.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1
Career
»»Headspace http://www.getsomeheadspace.com/
»»Happiness Action Pack http://www.actionforhappiness.org/media/80216/happiness_action_pack.pdf
»»Mindbloom https://www.mindbloom.com/
»»Mind Tools http://www.mindtools.com/
»»Pick The Brain http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/
Social/Emotional
»»Bright Pink http://www.brightpink.org/
»»Give More www.givemore.com
»»Happify http://www.happify.com/
»»Lifehack http://www.lifehack.org/
»»Living Well with Depression http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/managing.aspx
»»Proust http://www.proust.com/
»»The Happiness Project http://www.gretchenrubin.com/
»»tiny buddha http://tinybuddha.com/
Physical Activity
»»American Camp Association: www.acacamps.org
»»American College of Sports Medicine: http://healthierkidsbrighterfutures.org/
wordpress1/
»»American Discovery Trail: www.discoverytrail.org
»»American Hiking Society: www.americanhiking.org
»»American Nordic Walking Association: http://anwa.us/html/index.php
»»American Trails: www.americantrails.org
»»Designed to Move: http://www.designedtomove.org/
»»Every Body Walk!: http://www.coam-month.org/
»»Fall Hiking Destinations: http://gorp.com
»»Fit4MOM: http://fit4mom.com/
»»Henry Gets Moving: http://henrygetsmoving.com/
»»League of American Bicyclists: www.bikeleague.org
»»Let’s Move: http://www.letsmove.gov/
»»Let’s Move — Outside: www.letsmove.gov/lets-move-outside
»»National Association for Health and Fitness: www.physicalfitness.org
»»National Park Service: www.nps.gov
»»President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports: http://www.fitness.gov/
»»The Y: http://ymca.net/healthy-family-home/
»»US Orienteering Federation: http://orienteeringusa.org
»»US Biathlon: http://biathlon.teamusa.org
»»Walking Color Tours: www.escortedfallfoliagetours.com
»»We Can!: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/
»»Yoga Health Foundation: http://yogahealthfoundation.org/
»»Active.com http://www.active.com/
»»MapMyWalk http://www.mapmywalk.com/
»»National Sleep Foundation http://sleepfoundation.org/
»»Summer Tomato: Upgrade your Healthstyle http://summertomato.com/
»»Plate Joy http://www.platejoy.com/
»»Everybody Walk http://everybodywalk.org/
»»Environmental Working Group http://www.ewg.org/
Nutrition
»»Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: http://www.eatright.org/
»»American Diabetes Association: http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/?loc=GlobalNavFF
»»Farmers’ Market Coalition: http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/
»»Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network: http://www.foodallergy.org/
»»Let’s Move: http://www.letsmove.gov/
»»National Farmers’ Market Association: http://nfmaonline.org/
»»Produce for Better Health Foundation: http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/
»»School Nutrition Association: http://www.schoolnutrition.org/
»»The United States Breastfeeding Committee: http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/
»»The Y: http://ymca.net/healthy-family-home/
»»We Can!: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/
»»Whole Grains Council: http://wholegrainscouncil.org/
Healthy Vending and Food Delivery
»»Company Kitchen www.companykitchen.com/overview.html
»»Factor 75 www.factor75.com/
»»Farmer’s Fridge www.farmersfridge.com/
»»Fresh & Healthy Vending www.freshandhealthy.org/
»»Freshology www.freshology.com/#nationwide
»»The FruitGuys http://fruitguys.com/
»»Grow Healthy Vending www.growhealthyvending.com/
»»KitchFix www.kitchfix.com/
»»Knourish www.knourish.com/
»»PlateJoy www.platejoy.com/
Tobacco Cessation
»»American Cancer Society Quit For Life: www.quitnow.net
»»American Cancer Society Freshstart: www.acsworkplacesolutions.com/freshstart.asp
»»American Lung Association Freedom from Smoking®: www.FFSonline.org
»»American Lung Association Not-On-Tobacco®: www.NotOnTobacco.co
Community
»»Blue Zones http://www.bluezones.com/
»»Healthy Communities for a Healthy Future http://www.
healthycommunitieshealthyfuture.org/
»»tuja Wellness http://www.tujawellness.com/
»»Ancestry http://www.ancestry.com/
»»Environmental Working Group http://www.ewg.org/
»»Alliance for a Healthier Generation www.healthiergeneration.org
»»Caring Bridge www.caringbridge.org
Financial
»»Consumer Financial Protection Bureau http://www.consumerfinance.gov/
»»Association for Financial Counseling and Planning http://www.afcpe.org/
»»LearnVest https://www.learnvest.com/
»»Hello Wallet http://www.hellowallet.com/
»»Dave Ramsey http://www.daveramsey.com/financial-wellness/
Disease Specific Resources
Arthritis
»»Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/arthritis
»»The National Arthritis Foundation: www.arthritis.org
Cancer
»»American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org
»»National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov
»»Centers for Disease and Control, Cancer Prevention and Control: www.cdc.gov/cancer
Diabetes
»»Centers for Disease Control: www.DiabetesAtWork.org
»»American Diabetes Association: www.diabetes.org
»»The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: www.eatright.org/Public/
Heart Disease and Stroke
»»American Heart Association: www.americanheart.org
»»American Stroke Association: www.strokeassociation.org
Headaches
»»National Headache Foundation: http://www.headaches.org/education
Mental Health
»»National Mental Health Association: http://www.nmha.org/
»»Anxiety and Depression Association of America http://www.adaa.org/
»»National Institue of mental Health: www.nimh.nih.gov
»»Alzheimer’s Association: www.alz.org
Ultimate Financial Calendar
January
1. Reset Your Budget- While the New Year is a great time
to look forward, it’s also a good opportunity to look back at
the past year—especially when it comes to your saving and
spending habits. If you’ve been using LearnVest’s free iPhone
or iPad app, you can easily review your spending from 2014
to see where your money went each month. (And if you
haven’t been using the app, it’s never too late to start!) Once
you have a clear sense of your financial habits from 2014,
you can figure out how to tweak your budget for the coming
year. And don’t forget to factor in occasional necessities,
like vet bills, insurance premiums and maintenance costs.
Of course, you’ll need to adjust your budget as your needs
change throughout the year, but January is a good time to
reassess your spending and saving.
2. Organize Your Savings Accounts- LearnVest suggests
putting 20% or more of your income toward financial
priorities (this can include savings and debt payments)—
but what you’re squirreling away for is up to you. Maybe
it’s an African safari, a renovated kitchen or a comfortable
emergency fund. Regardless of the goal, figure out exactly
how much you need to save, and then create a separate
savings account for each goal, so you can easily track your
progress and gauge if you need to ramp up your efforts
throughout the year.
3. Set Your Retirement Savings on Auto- Pilot- Retirement
contributions should be a priority, so make it a point now
to set up automatic, monthly contributions of at least 1%
to 2% of your income into a Roth or Traditional IRA or a
401(k) through your employer. If you have a 401(k), your
goal should be to contribute at least enough to get your
full employer match, as well as increase your contribution
by 1% every six months, working your way up to 10% of
your income over time. Already doing this? Then it’s time to
increase your contribution percentage. For 2015, the limits
for all three accounts are the same as they were in 2014, so
you’ll want to do your best to work toward maxing them out.
4. Put Your Annual Bonus to Good Use- Financial
responsibility doesn’t have to mean all work and no play.
If you received a year-end bonus, pat yourself on the back
and enjoy it by spending 10% on something fun—and then
allocate the remainder toward a financial priority. (You have
until April 15 to max out your IRA. Just saying!)
5. Map Out Your Annual Travel Budget- Vacations are a
common financial goal, but taking your own Tour de France
(or Asia … or South America …) doesn’t come cheap. So
make a list of any expected trips this year—like a friend’s
wedding or a relative’s big birthday celebration—and start
saving for them now in a separate account earmarked for
travel. And then plan any other getaways around these trips,
as your budget permits. While lounging on the beach each
February may seem like a “necessary” cure for the winter
doldrums, financial priorities should never suffer for travel.
February
1. Prep for Tax Time- By the beginning of February,
you should have received your tax forms, such as a W-2
from your employer, or 1099s for supplementary income.
Keep them in a safe spot, and start collecting any other
information that you’ll need to do your taxes, like records
of charitable donations and receipts for expenses you’ll be
itemizing. Need more guidance? Check out LearnVest’s free
Ace Your Taxes Bootcamp.
2. Get Your Credit Score- SATs are a thing of the past. As an
adult, the only score that really matters is your credit score,
which can have a major effect on the rates you lock in for
mortgages and other loans. To get your credit score for free,
head over to Credit Karma. Not happy with what you see?
Use LearnVest’s checklist to monitor and improve your credit
score.
3. Have the Money Talk With Your Significant Other- No
matter what stage you are in your relationship—be it dating
or happily married—significant others can either be great
partners to help you stay on track with your finances … or
seriously sabotage your best efforts. So make sure that you’re
both on the same page when it comes to financial goals and
priorities by having a forthright conversation (or two).
Ultimate Financial Calendar
4. Fill Out Your FAFSA- If your child plans to attend
college this September, it’s time to submit your government
application for financial aid, known as the FAFSA. You
must re-submit the form each year that you request aid, and
while it can vary somewhat by state, the forms are released
in January, with a filing deadline of June. That said, it’s a
good idea to submit your application well in advance—many
institutions award aid on a first-come, first-serve basis. And
even if you’re not sure that you qualify for aid, go ahead and
fill out the form, because you’ll never know if you don’t ask!
March
1. Wrap Up Your Taxes- Your goal should be to finish your
taxes in March—well, in advance of the April 15 deadline. If
you get a tax refund from the government, treat it the same
way as your year-end bonus: Put 10% toward something
fun, and funnel the rest toward financial priorities.
2. Start Your Spring Cleaning- Spring doesn’t officially start
until March 20—but this doesn’t mean you can’t get a head
start early in the month. So take stock of your belongings
and decide what you still need … and what can go. In
addition to donating items to charity, you can also resell
goods on sites like eBay or take gently worn clothes to a
consignment shop. Plus, going through your drawers gives
you one last chance to make sure that you didn’t miss any
hidden receipts that you can itemize on your taxes.
3. Take Stock of Your Personal Possessions- Speaking of
going through your house … in the event that your home
is burglarized and your belongings are stolen or damaged,
you’ll need detailed documentation to prove their value to
your insurer. So spend a few hours photographing the items
that made the spring-cleaning cut and create a running list
of the value of all household goods. Then lock these files (be
they paper or flash drive) in a waterproof and fireproof safe,
or back them up on a secure file-sharing website, such as
Box.
4. Pin Down Your Child’s Summer Plans- If you have
kids, you know that their attention spans last only so long.
In order to keep them busy when school’s out, research
options like summer camp, enrichment programs and other
activities—and start budgeting for them now.
April
1. Put Those Taxes to Bed- The deadline for filing your taxes
is April 15th … although you finished them in March, right?
If, for whatever reason, you could use a little more time,
you need to get in touch with the IRS now. The deadline
for filing an extension, which will buy you six more months
to complete your taxes, is also April 15. And if you’re selfemployed, freelancing or running your own business, Q1
estimated tax payments are due April 15th, as well.
2. Review Your Insurance Policies- Why not knock this
indoor task off your list before that summer weather sets in?
And if you’ve recently had a major life event—say, a marriage
or a child—it’s an especially good time to reevaluate your
current insurance coverage. Check out quotes for home, auto
and life insurance policies online, and then call your current
agent to make sure that you’re getting the best rate possible.
3. Finalize Summer Travel- If a vacation is in the cards,
now’s the time to hammer out the details. Whenever
possible, it’s a good idea to book airfare three to five months
in advance—before prices start inching up. So now is a good
time to nail down July and August flights. For more tips,
check out these insider hints to save on summer airfare.
May
1. Revisit Your Credit Score- It’s been three months since
you checked your credit score—and it’s time to review your
score on free siteCredit Karma to make sure that you haven’t
been the victim of fraud or any errors that may have caused
your credit score to take a hit. And if you’ve been paying
off your debts on time, your score may have improved—
enabling you to qualify for better rates on loans.
Ultimate Financial Calendar
2. Get a Copy of Your Credit Report- Your credit report
is akin to a report card: The free document offers a full
record of your financial activity that’s visible to creditors.
Annualcreditreport.com lets you pull your credit report from
each of the three major bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and
Equifax) once a year for free. So pull one to make sure that
there are no errors, like unfamiliar credit cards or lines of
credit. If you see something suspect, promptly dispute it with
the bureau that produced the report.
3. Look Into Whether Your Child Qualifies for
Scholarships- Now that the school year is winding down,
you can turn your attention to the next frontier: college. If
your kid is in high school, start checking out scholarships
that could make higher education more affordable. The
College Board’s Scholarship Search offers details on more
than 2,200 programs, which provide nearly $6 billion in
financial aid annually to students. Need inspiration? This
enterprising student applied for 100 college scholarships—all
on her own.
June
1. Revisit Your Budget- Does the budget that you set up at
the beginning of the year still square up with your lifestyle,
or have major life events since then thrown your saving and
spending out of whack? Reviewing your budget at the sixmonth mark—and making any necessary changes to reflect
your spending and saving needs—is a key part of taking
control of your money.
2. Hone in on Your Health- If you haven’t had an annual
exam with a primary care physician this year, now is the
time to schedule an appointment. And if your health
regimen includes a workout plan, check in with your HR
representative to see if your employer or insurer reimburses
gym fees or offers any discounts. It can’t hurt to ask!
July
1. Up Your Retirement Contributions- If you’re saving
in a 401(k) and aren’t already on track to max it out,
increase your contributions by 1%. If you have an IRA,
and you’re not saving $458.33 each month (or $541.66 per
month if you’re 50 or older), try to increase your monthly
contributions by $100.
2. Analyze Your Energy Spending- The heat of the summer
can drive up energy costs, so review your bills and get an idea
of appropriate rates for your area using https://power2switch.
com/. If you discover that you’re overpaying, call providers
and ask if there’s any wiggle room on your bill.
3. Buy Big Ticket Items on July 4th- The holiday isn’t an
excuse to go on a shopping binge, but if you’re looking to
purchase a pricey item, like a flat-screen TV or a grill, now
may be the time to pull the trigger. Independence Day
promotions often offer great deals on these larger items—just
be sure to do a little research before you head to the store.
4. Review Your Investing Strategy- You’ll probably want to
focus on some R&R in August, so consider checking off this
important money task before you power down next month.
Specifically, if your major life goals—like buying a home or
saving for a wedding—are more than ten years away, you
may want to retool your approach to investing to help you
reach your target more quickly.
August
1. Check Your Credit Score- It’s that time again: Review
your credit score at Credit Karma, paying special attention
to any fraudulent charges, so you can report it to your credit
card company immediately.
2. Look Into Your Employer’s Open Enrollment PeriodEach fall, employees have a brief window of time when they
can make changes to their insurance policies or set up and
adjust contributions to health savings accounts (HSAs) and
flexible spending accounts (FSAs). So review your current
benefits situation, check out any new options that are
available and decide whether you should make any switches.
And don’t forget to consider disability insurance and life
Ultimate Financial Calendar
benefits situation, check out any new options that are
available and decide whether you should make any switches.
And don’t forget to consider disability insurance and life
insurance, if your employer offers them.
3. Start Saving for College- The start of a new school season
is just around the corner, and even if your kid isn’t close
to heading off for college yet, it’s never too early to begin
investing for the university years. A good first step? Set up
a college savings account for your child, like a 529 plan.
Already have one? Consider asking family to contribute to
that account in lieu of gifts for your kid’s next birthday or
holiday.
September
It’s also a good time to review the beneficiary forms on
your retirement accounts, and if you have kids, set up an
appointment with an attorney to draft a will and name a
guardian for your children. Once you take care of these tasks,
you won’t have to do them again unless there’s a change in
your family setup.
2. Book December Holiday Travel- Consult that travel
budget that you set up in January, and lock in your holiday
plans now. Just like with Thanksgiving flights, the best time
to buy airline tickets is on a Tuesday.
3. Submit Your Taxes if You’ve Filed for an ExtensionOctober 15 is the last day that you can submit your 2014
taxes if you’ve filed for an extension.
1. Start Planning for Year-End Taxes- It’s never too early
to get a head start on your taxes. Reach out to your CPA
or another tax professional to make sure that you’ve been
withholding enough, and whether there are any other steps
you can take now to lower your tax bill for 2016.
November
2. Confirm Your Thanksgiving Travel Plans- It may be two
months away, but for the best deals on flights, book your
tickets on the Tuesday after Labor Day.
2. Budget for the Holidays- Well before those twinkling
lights and yards of tinsel go up, prep your budget ahead
of time to cover all of those seasonal costs: gifts, decor
and entertaining. Set a budget for each category of your
spending—and stick to it! You can start with these low-cost,
creative ideas for decorating your home, throwing the perfect
holiday party and even recipes for a gift everyone will love:
festive holiday cookies.
3. Review Your Credit Report- For the second time
this year, download a copy of your credit report from
Annualcreditreport.com. Just remember that each of the
bureaus will only give you one free copy a year, so if you
received a copy from Equifax in May, pull your report from
either TransUnion or Experian now.
October
1. Organize Your Estate Planning Documents- Now that
the weather is getting cooler, it’s time to buckle down and
focus on some serious stuff. Although it isn’t fun, estate
planning is necessary if you want to save your loved ones a
lot of time, money and stress in the event of a debilitating
illness or death. Everyone should have a living will (also
called a health care directive), which provides instructions for
your care if you’re unable to make decisions yourself.
1. Review Your Credit Score- You’ve done it three times this
year, so you should be a pro by now: Check your credit score
at Credit Karma, honing in on any surprising changes.
3. Make Your Charitable Donations- If you budgeted for
charitable giving, start sending those checks! Note: Itemizing
your deductions may help to reduce your year-end tax bill.
December
1. Review Your Retirement and Brokerage Accounts- We’re
nearing the end of 2015, so now is prime-time to go through
your investing accounts with a fine-tooth comb, andrebalance
as needed. An accountant can help you determine if you
should take any capital gains or losses in non-retirement
accounts before the year officially comes to a close.
Ultimate Financial Calendar
2. Don’t Blow Your Holiday Bonus!- Aside from a yearend bonus that’s based on your performance, some generous
companies also give employees an additional holiday payout.
Since you’ve already set aside money for holiday gifts, treat
this bonus the same way you would a tax return and yearend bonus: Put 10% toward some fun spending, and allocate
90% for financial goals.
3. Revisit the Financial Highs and Lows of 2015- Take the
time to review your spending and saving habits over the past
year. Did you achieve your money goals? Did you successfully
stick to a budget? Congratulate yourself for making progress
on your money—and then focus on how you’re going to
make even greater strides in 2016!
Health Fair Planning Timeline
Health fairs are an excellent way to kick off your wellness
program with momentum that can last year-round. In order
for your program to accomplish this goal, it is important
that you allow adequate time for planning and that you set
realistic expectations for your health fair.
8 - 12 Weeks Before the Health Fair
Action
Responsibilities
Determine Logistics
Invite Vendors and Request RSVP
Deadline
Order Educational Materials
Reserve Resources
4 - 6 Weeks Before the Health Fair
Action
Responsibilities
Market Health Fair
Make Booth/ Vendor Signs
Create Map
Evaluate Progress and Update To-Do
List
1 Week Before the Health Fair
Confirm with All Vendor Participants
Create Vendor/ Volunteer Name Tags
Finalize Registration Process and
Table
Day Before the Health Fair
Action
Responsibilities
Set Up According to Map
Day of the Health Fair
Action
Responsibilities
Set Up
Guide Vendors and Participants to the
Location
Collect Sign-In, Evaluation and Raffle
Entries
Clean Up
Health Fair Follow Up
Action
Send Thank You Letters to Exhibitors,
Volunteers, etc.
Present Participation and Other
Reports
Evaluation
Responsibilities
Date:
Location:
Time:
RSVP by:
Dear Valued Vendor:
You are being sent this special invitation requesting your presence at (Company’s)
2015 Health fair. This year’s event will be held indoors at (Company) which
will provide a wonderful opportunity for you to inform (Company’s) employees
about your products and services, as well as how you may be able to assist them
in improving their health and their lives. To aide you in this venture, (company)
will provide 1 table, 2 chairs and trash cans (electrical access can be provided upon
request).
There is no fee to participate in this event; however, we do request that you provide
1 item to be donated as a door prize, and giveaway items to be placed at your
booth. While donation of items is not required, please note that the items donated
for door prizes will be awarded to the (Company) employees who attend the health
and wellness expo and make a valid effort to come by and see all participants at
the event. Examples of items donated for door prizes include: massages, mugs,
sunglasses, gift certificates, and home exercise equipment.
This fun filled day will include (Company) employees eager to visit with you!
(Company) employees have always responded well to hands on activities,
screenings, and programs that encourage and assist them in takin positive control
of their health and well-being.
I look forward to a successful 2015 Health and Wellness Expo and believe that
your participation will help to make it a huge success! Please complete the attached
form and fax your response to (Fax Number), (Phone Number) or by email at
(Email).
We are excited about the opportunity to work with you!
Eagerly awaiting your reply,
Health Fair Vendor
Invitation letter
Health Fair Vendor Response Form
Date:
Location:
Time:
RSVP by:
Please complete the attached form and fax your response to FAX NUMBER, Attn: NAME. If you need further
information, please feel free to contact me by phone at PHONE NUMBER or via e-mail at EMAIL.
Organization Name:
Yes, we will participate:_________________________________________________________________
No, we will not participate:_____________________________________________________________
Representative(s) Attending Fair:_________________________________________________________
Contact Name if different from above:_____________________________________________________
Phone:__________________
Fax:__________________
Cell:____________________________________
E-Mail:____________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________________________
What type of service/information will you provide? :__________________________________________
Special Needs (1 table, 2 chairs will be provided):_____________________________________________
Door Prize to be donated:______________________________________________________________
Giveaways at your booth:_______________________________________________________________
Safety and Natural Resources
Safety and Natural Living Resources
Informational Websites
»»CDC’s Safety and Well-being Integration by Industry http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/industries.html
»»Environmental Working Group www.ewg.org
»»FloLiving http://www.floliving.com/articles/#.VKLWksAA
»»Gorgeously Green www.gorgeouslygreen.com
»»Institute for Integrative Nutrition www.integrativenutrition.com
»»LifeSpa http://www.lifespa.com/
»»Natural Gourmet Institute www.naturalgourmetinstitute.com
»»Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute www.plminstitute.org
»»PubMed www.pubmed.gov
Sample Physical Activity Worksite Policy
Whereas:
________________________(fill in your worksite name) is concerned about the health of our employees.
Whereas:
People have become more and more interested in eating better and being more active;
Whereas:
Heart disease, cancer and stroke—the top three causes of death in North Carolina—are largely affected by what we eat and
how active we are;
Whereas:
Regular physical activity provides for increased quality of life through improved endurance, strength, flexibility and balance, as
well as reduced risk of chronic diseases, injury and perception of stress;
Therefore:
(today’s date), it is the policy of
(fill in your worksite name) that
Effective
activities and events sponsored or supported by this organization will include opportunities for physical activity: (These are
some of the examples discussed—the policy may be written to address only one change at the time or multiple policies.)
•Physical activity breaks in meetings
»»Examples include facilitated activities such as stretch breaks or icebreakers.
•Identification of physical activity opportunities
»»Examples include provision of map with walking routes and local attractions; identification of recreational and exercise
facilities; organization of walking groups and other group activities.
•Supportive schedules to allow physical activities
»»Examples include flexible work schedules, modified meal breaks to allow activity, as well as scheduled and/or facilitated
stretch breaks integrated into meeting agendas.
•Encouragement from group leadership to engage in physical activity
Examples include employee leadership promoting physical activity for employees; group leadership being a role model.
Signature__________________________________ Title____________________________________
Name of Worksite:____________________________________________________________________
Source: North Carolina Health Smart
Sample Healthy Food Policy
Whereas:
________________________(fill in your worksite name) is concerned about the health of our employees.
Whereas:
People have become more and more interested in eating better and being more active; and
Whereas:
Heart disease, cancer and stroke-the top three causes of death in North Carolina-are largely affected by what we eat and how
active we are; and
Whereas:
Foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads and pastas and low-fat dairy products are better choices for preventing
many diseases.
Therefore:
(date), it is the policy of
(worksite name) that all activities and events
Effective
(examples of events may include meetings, potluck events, catered events, community sponsored events, i.e., health fairs, etc.)
sponsored or supported by this organization will always include one or more of these healthier items:
•Fruits and/or vegetables
»»Examples of such items include fresh, frozen, canned or dried fruits (such as grapefruit, oranges, apples, raisins or 100%
fruit juices) and fresh, frozen or canned vegetables.
•Low-fat milk and dairy products
»»Examples include skim/nonfat or 1% milk; low fat and fat-free yogurt; cheese and ice cream.
•Foods made from grains (like wheat, rice and oats), especially whole grains. Examples include low-fat whole wheat
crackers, bread and pasta; whole grain ready-to-eat cereal, low-fat baked tortilla chips, pita bread.
•Water
Signature__________________________________ Title____________________________________
Name of Worksite:____________________________________________________________________
Source: North Carolina Health Smart
Sample Worksite Breastfeeding Policy
Because breastfeeding has been shown to be the superior form of infant nutrition,
providing a multitude of health benefits to both infants and mother, and because
breastfeeding employees need ongoing support in the worksite to be able to provide
their milk for their babies, <<Company Name>> subscribes to the following policy:
1. Employees shall be provided a place to breastfeed or express their milk. An
employee lactation room is provided as a private and sanitary place for
breastfeeding employees to express their milk during work hours. This room
provides an electrical outlet, comfortable chair, and nearby access to running
water. Employees may, of course, use their private office area for breastfeeding or
milk expression, if they prefer.
2. A refrigerator will be made available for safe storage of expressed breast milk.
Employees may use their own cooler packs to store expressed breast milk, or
may store milk in a designated refrigerator/freezer. Employees should provide
their own containers, clearly labeled with name and date. Those using the
refrigerator are responsible for keeping it clean.
3. Employees shall be provided flexible breaks to accommodate breastfeeding or milk
expression. A breastfeeding employee shall be provided a flexible schedule for
breastfeeding or pumping to provide breast milk for her child. The time would
not exceed normal time allowed for lunch and breaks. For time above and
beyond normal lunch and breaks, sick/annual leave time must be used, or the
employee can come in a little early or leave a little later to make up the time.
4. Staff members are expected to provide support for breastfeeding employees.
Realizing the importance of breastfeeding to the infant, the mother, and
the company, staff should provide an atmosphere of loving support for
breastfeeding employees.
5. Breastfeeding promotion information will be displayed. The company will provide
information on breastfeeding to all pregnant and breastfeeding employees,
including local resources. In addition, positive promotion of breastfeeding will
be on display in the company and in-house communications with staff.
Adapted from the Mississippi Breastfeeding
Coalition’s Building Breastfeeding Friendly
Communities project by the Wisconsin Department
of Health and Family Services in collaboration with
the Wisconsin Breastfeeding Coalition; Division
of Public Health - Nutrition Section; PPH 40066
(6/03); www.dhfs.state.wi.us/WIC
6. Employee orientation will include information about the company’s breastfeeding
policy. The company’s breastfeeding policy will be communicated to current
staff. New employees will be informed about the company policy in the newemployee orientation training.
Sample Tobacco Affidavit
Effective January 1, 2015, all employee tobacco users who are enrolled in the [name of employer] health insurance will be
subject to a Tobacco Surcharge. A tobacco user is defined as an employee who has smoked, inhaled (excluding second-hand
smoke), snuffed, chewed, or otherwise ingested tobacco within the preceding sixty (60) calendar days. Tobacco products
include, but are not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, and/or other smokeless tobacco
products.
I, ________________________hereby certify that:
(print employee name)
q I have never used tobacco products OR have not used tobacco products in the last sixty (60) calendar days.
OR
q I am a tobacco user and understand that I will be charged a $25 per pay period Tobacco Surcharge.
Please keep the following points in mind:
•Employees who do not have a Tobacco Affidavit on file will be subject to the surcharge until such time that one is properly
completed and submitted to Human Resources.
•If it is determined that you are a tobacco user and you have attested on this Affidavit that you are not, you will be subject to
the Tobacco Surcharge. You may also be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge, for falsification of a
[name of employer] document.
•If your tobacco use status should change during the year, an updated Tobacco Affidavit should be completed. The surcharge
related to changes will be added or removed as soon as administratively possible. Surcharge changes are not retroactive.
•This Affidavit does not address the cost of health insurance or the surcharge applied beyond calendar year 2015 [note
appropriate time frame].
•Your health plan is committed to helping you achieve your best health. Rewards for participating in a wellness program are
available to all employees. If you think you might be unable to meet a standard for a reward under this wellness program, you
might qualify for an opportunity to earn the same reward by different means. Contact us at [insert contact information] and
we will work with you (and, if you wish, with your doctor) to find a wellness program with the same reward that is right for
you in light of your health status.
•If you need more information about the Tobacco Surcharge or resources on help to quit, please consult the 2015 Employee
Benefits Guide or contact Human Resources.
_______________________________________________________________________
Employee SignatureDate
Notes
Notes
Consulting and insurance brokerage services to be provided by Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. and/or its
affiliate Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Group Inc. Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. is a licensed insurance
agency that does business in California as “Gallagher Benefit Services of California Insurance Services” and in
Massachusetts as “Gallagher Benefit Insurance Services.” Neither Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. nor its affiliates
provide accounting, legal or tax advice.
© 2014 Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc.
15GBS23994C