Provide incentives for employees to get active and eat right

Incentives can both support and motivate participation among employees. Consider both formal or company incentives and informal or program rewards and prizes from local resources to reinforce participation in workplace wellness programs. Either way, it is important to provide incentives that are attractive and meaningful to your employees.

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Get Inspired

Once you’ve made the rational decision to start a workplace wellness program, it’s time to put your emotions behind it – and take everyone along with you. By building support at all levels of the organization and letting every employee feel ownership of the program, you’ll greatly enhance your chances of success.

Set the foundation

As with every other initiative, senior management sets the tone – by action and example. Make sure your company’s leaders model the behaviors you want from everyone by providing visible support and participation. Turn your employees into stakeholders by actively seeking and implementing their feedback.

Share the facts

Establishing a successful workplace wellness program relies on two stages of communication. The first is to make sure that your company’s senior and middle management are fully aware of rising medical and health insurance costs and the role unhealthy lifestyles play – not only to each individual, but to the company as a whole. Knowing about the problem will help them buy into the solution, and their support is critical if the program is to work.

Next, you and management need to work together to communicate with the company’s workforce. When employees know the facts about health costs and lifestyle impacts, they’ll better understand that the workplace wellness program isn’t about dictating a certain way of living. It’s about promoting the success of the company and showing that the company cares for their well-being.

When people at every level understand why this program is necessary and what’s at stake, people will be pulling in the same direction.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified agents.  Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC).  You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health.  Call us for details.

2007 Blue Cross and Blue Shield® Internal Association Data.