10 Questions to Ask When Evaluating a Corporate Wellness Program

It's been a rough couple of months for corporate wellness. First, there was the depressing 2013 RAND report on corporate wellness. Next the State of Nebraska had to defend their wellness program results. And, just last week faculty and staff at Penn State protested their new wellness program.

Unfortunately, a lot of corporate wellness programs, despite the best of intentions, are ineffective. They don’t do what they are supposed to do. There is this assumption that just because you have a program, that said program will magically just work. Many companies hope for a quick "turnkey" solution just like how people are on the search for that magic diet pill. 

Does this mean that wellness programs are not worth the investment? No! But it is time to figure out what works or doesn't. The concept of wellness is easy - create a culture that truly allows people the opportunity to engage in healthy activities like exercise, nutritious foods, time off and so on. In real life, the hard part is actually doing those things. It's not about the program - it's about how well it's designed and implemented to meet the individual needs, interests and motivators of your employees.

Eek! Now you're probably haunted by doubts about your corporate wellness program. Ask yourself the following 10 questions to see how your program ranks.

1. Does your company have a culture of wellness...or a culture of illness? 
2. Is your wellness program easy and simple to understand? Do you make healthy choices fun?
3. Do you provide an ongoing supportive network for employees?
4. Is the program built around individual employee wellness goals?
5. Do you regularly monitor and track employee engagement and satisfaction?
6. Is your program fair to all employees?
7. Does the wellness program actually improve workers' lives?
8. Is momentum sustained throughout the year?
9. Does the wellness program consider the environment and find ways to fit more activity and healthier food (cafeteria, vending machines) at work?
10. Do you personally enjoy participating in the program?

Chances are, your answers to these questions will identify two or three significant shortcomings in your corporate wellness program. While it can be disheartening to receive negative feedback, it’s precisely this feedback that will help you and your program to grow.

Image Credit: takomabibelot