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Can a small corporation support corporate wellness? Absolutely! In truth, in some ways it’s easier to develop a healthy workplace in a small corporation than in a large company.

Limited resources, especially in small corporations, can prevent an company from setting up a wellness program. Reasons can include –

• lack of budget resources;

• lack of staff;

• lack of senior-level support;

• little knowledge of the wellness concept and;

• concern about making wellness available to all employees.

According to the Wellness Councils of America, some small business owners might have the wrong idea of what’s involved in having a wellness program.

Some corporations are not 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 do not understand that it doesn’t need to be expensive and that they do not need special staff. They might not realize that some staff would like to see some healthful changes and would help make things happen in their workplace.

It can be Done

Many small businesses have found ways to have a wellness 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 big workplace. Many staff members prefer to work for a small company, he says, because it provides more opportunities to work closely with others and create a sense of community.

In his report, Dr. Lowe says the most successful businesses with fewer than 100 workers have –

• excellent staff member benefits;

• policies that promote a balance between work and personal life;

• flexible schedules;

• competitive salaries;

• excellent leadership with an emphasis on teamwork;

• environmentally responsible company policies;

• procedures for seeking employee input; and

• a focus on placing employees’ personal wellness ahead of the personal gain of company leaders.

All or most of these elements are also components of a good wellness program.

Tips and Ideas

There are many ways to include wellness in a small corporation. You do not necessarily need a wellness specialist or a fancy fitness club.

What you do need is support from management and a committee of a few committed people . 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 like the weekly Healthy U Hot Tip.

• Use promotions that are already designed like Healthy Workplace Week.

Active Living and Healthful Eating

•  Be certain to encourage staff to sign up for the Stairway to Health stair climbing competition.

• Get pedometers for staff members and track their steps.

• Rent a nearby school or community gym and offer exercise classes.

• Hire a local fitness instructor to give courses or lead stretch breaks. Costs can be shared with staff members.

• Install secure bike parking.

• Serve healthy alternatives at corporation meetings and lunches.

Policy and Organizational Programs

• Hire an ergonomics specialist 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 variety of health and leadership activities and courses.

• Offer financial incentives to be healthful.

• 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, fitness clubs, festivals, parks, restaurants).

• Spread the workload. Make certain to set up a wellness committee.

Small companies may not have a lot of time, money, or human resources available for a wellness program. But they often have a huge advantage over large companies-a positive workplace culture.

That is a excellent foundation for a wellness 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 companies can develop successful wellness programs.

Get support from management, form a committee of two or more and discover the possibilities!