Workplace wellness programs offer many benefits to both the employee who participates and the company - benefits such as improved employee health and productivity, and reduced absences. But getting employees to participate in these programs – and getting management to support them - is a challenge.

The success of workplace wellness programs is often based on the number of participants, according to the results of a workplace wellness management survey conducted by Wellness Program Management Advisor and Wellness Junction. “Keeping employees interested in wellness programs is an ongoing, labor-intensive effort that involves motivation and recognition.” wellness managers say.

"Technically, management support doesn’t depend on the actual numbers of employees that are part of our programs," said a coordinator. "But better numbers have always helped when I ask management to support a budget increase or program expansion. It helps anything I try to do."

Attempts to get more employees interested in health promotion programs have grown because of the importance of the number of attendees, respondents said. As a result, almost 60 percent of respondents said they have tried a variety of new efforts to encourage participation.

"Motivation and establishing reasonable goals works for us," noted a health administrator. "Plus, we really promote our wellness success stories. Employees can see others’ positive results and they want to be a part of the success."

"It’s important for [wellness professionals] to help consumers make the link between disease prevention, personal responsibility and their health," said the health services manager of a corporate wellness program. "Linking wellness programs to health benefits, in the form of lower co-pays or premiums, rather than to the actual health aspects of wellness, such as exercise, works best at my company."

That is why we sponsored: ‘What’s in it for me?’ How to Motivate Your Employees and Boost Participation’ a special audio conference to help organizations learn about Employee Wellness Incentive Programs used to boost attendance, and how you can use them in your organization.

"Participation is always a challenge because it relates to budget," according to a hospital wellness program coordinator. "If there is no participation there are no results."

During this 90-minute audio conference, we covered how companies have successfully used incentive programs to boost participation in employee wellness programs.

TOPICS COVERED:

• Outlines of a successful Employee Wellness Program
• Review of Incentives Programs used successfully in industry
• Use of ‘customer surveys’ in selecting wellness programs
• Administration of Multi-site programs
• Success Measurements (% participation at start/% after implementation of incentive)
• How Management becomes involved ($ or more personally involved)

Plus a live Question and Answer Session

SPEAKER PANEL:
Randy Adolphs, Comer Center Manager, Lands’ End
E. Anthony Haynes, Wellness Coordinator/Fitness Director, Aramco Services Company
Martha Pedersen, Manager, Worksite Health Promotion, Center for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention

WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE AUDIO CONFERENCE:
Workplace wellness managers, wellness educators, marketers, health coordinators, human resources executives, risk managers, fitness center managers, health promotion directors, wellness coordinators, health educators, staff educators, employee assistance professionals, strategic planners, operations managers, plant managers, exercise specialists, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation coordinators, employee health services managers, employee health nurse managers, occupational health directors, health systems administrators, disability managers, corporate fitness managers, managed care executives, disease management professionals, nurse managers, employee relations administrators and consultants. Hospitals, managed care organizations, health insurers, major employers, government employers and colleges and universities.

‘Attend’ this program right in your office and enjoy significant savings – no travel time or hassle; no hotel expenses. It’s so convenient! Invite your staff members to listen to this CD-ROM.