Can a small business support company health promotion? Absolutely! Indeed, in some ways it is easier to create a healthful workplace in a small business than in a large company.
Limited resources, particularly in small businesses, can prevent an employer from setting up a health promotion program. Reasons can include –
• lack of budget resources;
• lack of staff;
• lack of senior-level support;
• little knowledge of the wellness theory and;
• concern about making wellness available to all workers.
As reported by the Health Promotion Councils of America, some small corporation owners might have the wrong idea of what’s involved in having a health promotion program.
Some corporations aren’t sure a program would really work and others feel that trying to change personal lifestyle behaviours is intruding and “none of their business”.
Perhaps they don’t understand that it doesn’t need to be expensive and that they don’t need special staff. They could not realize that some staff would like to see some healthy changes and would help make things happen in their workplace.
It can be Done
A lot of small companies have found ways to have a health promotion program that works for them. They keep the cost and effort to a minimum and still have results that are positive for everybody.
In 2006, Graham Lowe wrote a report on the best places to work in Calgary. He said that healthful workplaces often have a “positive workplace culture”. In a workplace with a positive culture, individuals feel appreciated, valued, and trusted.
Dr. Lowe says it’s easier for a small workplace to have a positive workplace culture than for a large workplace. Many employees prefer to work for a small corporation, he says, because it provides more opportunities to work closely with others and develop a sense of community.
In his report, Dr. Lowe says the most successful businesses with fewer than 100 employees have –
• excellent worker benefits;
• policies that promote a balance between work and personal life;
• flexible schedules;
• competitive salaries;
• excellent leadership with an emphasis on teamwork;
• environmentally responsible corporation policies;
• procedures for seeking employee input; and
• a focus on placing employees’ personal wellness ahead of the personal gain of corporation leaders.
All or most of these elements are also components of a good health promotion program.
Tips and Ideas
There are many ways to include wellness in a small business. You don’t necessarily need a wellness professional or a fancy health club.
What you do need is support from management and a committee of a few committed individuals . Here are some ideas that your workplace can consider.
Communications and Promotion
• Send out a regular “wellness” newsletter in hard copy or online. Or send out a simple message such as the weekly Healthful U Hot Tip.
• Use promotions that are already designed such as Healthy Workplace Week.
Active Living and Healthy Eating
• Be certain to encourage staff to sign up for the Stairway to Health stair climbing competition.
• Get pedometers for employees and track their steps.
• Rent a nearby school or community fitness center and offer exercise classes.
• Hire a local fitness instructor to give classes or lead stretch breaks. Costs may be shared with employees.
• Install secure bicycle parking.
• Serve healthy alternatives at company meetings and lunches.
Policy and Organizational Programs
• Hire an ergonomics professional to assess workstations.
• Create policies to support work-life balance (for example, mandatory vacations, flextime, limits to work and e-mail on personal time).
• Provide a wellness subsidy for a selection of health and leadership activities and courses.
• Offer financial incentives to be healthy.
• Offer wellness incentives as rewards and recognition for a job well done.
• Conduct an organizational health audit (NQI Healthful Workplace Week).
• Become a partner with the community (for example, daycare, health clubs, festivals, parks, restaurants).
• Spread the workload. Make sure to set up a wellness committee.
Small companies might not have a lot of time, money, or HR available for a health promotion program. But they often have a huge advantage over big companies-a positive workplace culture.
That is a great foundation for a health promotion program. When employees are satisfied, enjoy their work environment, they are more productive, and tend to be healthier. With a little creativity and passion, small businesses can create successful health promotion programs.
Get support from management, form a committee of two or more and discover the possibilities!
Corporate Wellness Companies