Building a better wellness culture: Top tips

1. Give your workplace a facelift.

Because an employee can burn five times the number of calories by taking the stairs, employers should consider painting their stairwells or posting pictures to brighten up the area, WebMD experts explain. They can also hang motivational or informational pictures near elevators encouraging employees to use the stairs or to think carefully about their vending machine purchases.

Also see: Inexpensive ways to enhance your wellness program

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2. Consider cafeteria changes.

According to WebMD, employers should highlight healthy eating options with attention-grabbing signage and discounted pricing. Having low-calorie entrees or stocking vending machines with healthy food choices can also help.

Also see: Wellness programs in 2015: What employers need to know

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3. Model after leadership.

Figures show that having senior leadership participation in wellness programs will add to employee engagement. WebMD recommends that employers invite employees to walk with senior leaders, which will not only increase activity, but also allow for opportunities to network and ask questions.

Also see: Healthy during the holidays: 10 low-cost ways to promote wellness

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4. Set achievable goals.

Management competitions, which include team-based activities such as lose-weight challenges or even a hula hoop challenge, can translate into achievable benefits for all parties involved. The thrill of the competition can be a strong motivator for some employees, says WebMD.

Also see: Outcomes-based wellness incentives use continues to rise

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5. Inspire through social interaction.

Using employee wellness champions can lead to increased use and promotion of wellness events. Also, use of social media, such as Twitter or Instagram, can serve as an outlet where employees can support one another to achieve activity goals.

Also see: Considering new benefits technology to boost the employee experience

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6. Ask employees to gauge the wellness culture.

There is no easy way to figure out how your wellness program is being received. But a simple questionnaire may help. WebMD recommends that employers send out surveys to gauge the overall effectiveness of, and feelings about, employer-sponsored programs. Other tips include small group discussions or customizing questions on health assessments to figure how the organizations wellness culture is being perceived.

Also see: Toxic workplaces override wellness efforts, says Stanford professor

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