Worksite Wellness Criteria and Guidelines

Transcription

1 Worksite Wellness Criteria and Guidelines Welcome to Fitness For Life Around Grant counties (FFLAG) Worksite Wellness Award Initiative. The Worksite Wellness Award is designed to honor worksites which have policies, programs, and the infrastructure to support and promote healthy practices. The FFLAG s Worksite Wellness committee has initiated the Worksite Wellness Awards to recognize and celebrate worksites who place a high value on employee health and overall well-being while taking steps to create and maintain a healthy environment. All worksites in Grant County have the opportunity to earn Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum award recognition. The Awards, presented yearly, are visible flags that can be hung outside or displayed indoors along with a Citation from State Representatives. The Award is based on criteria proven to be effective in promoting and encouraging healthy lifestyles. The criteria were established by the Wellness Councils of America s (WELCOA) Seven Benchmarks of Workplace Wellness Success, which defines those benchmarks that are characteristic of results-oriented programs. All of the benchmarks are assigned point values. The total number of points determines the award level, with different levels being set for small, medium and large businesses. The following criteria will assist your worksite in what steps need to be taken to earn the desired Award. We recognize that each organization is at a different stage in the implementation of their wellness program, and we encourage all Worksite Wellness programs to apply regardless of size or scope of program. Please contact Jeff Walters, FFLAG Chair, at or [email protected] with any questions.

2 Grant County Worksite Wellness Program BRONZE FLAG CRITERIA Sponsored by: Fitness For Life Around Grant (FFLAG) County This is the place to start if your organization is interested in starting a worksite wellness program. Earn a BRONZE level flag by accumulating points through the implementation of these worksite wellness strategies. BRONZE FLAG STATUS 25 POINTS Senior Management Support (5 points): Bronze requirement: Gain commitment from senior management for support of a worksite wellness program. Documentation through a signed letter of support must be provided to receive the 5 points. Wellness Leader/Team (10 points): Bronze requirement: Wellness team/wellness leader identified. The identified wellness leader must also attend the FFLAG sponsored worksite wellness training. For small businesses, this could be just one or two people. For medium to large businesses, a wellness team should consist of a good cross-section of employees from various parts of the organization to be able to provide input from all levels. Documentation through a list of wellness leader/team members must be provided to receive the 10 points. Data Collection (5 points): Bronze requirement: Conduct an initial employee health/wellness interest survey This type of survey will help the organization to gather baseline data to determine what types of wellness initiatives would be most effective to focus on. Types of information gathered include employees current health behaviors, needs, wellness interest, and organization demographic. Documentation through a survey results report must be provided to receive the 5 points. Supportive Environments (5 points): Bronze requirement: Promotion of local community wellness efforts/opportunities that is available to employees. The organization can begin to encourage employees to start learning more about their health by promoting local community efforts/opportunities and encourage employees to participate (i.e. Biggest Winner program and Derby Dash 5K). Promotion can be done through s, newsletters, posters, etc. Written documentation of efforts made to promote community events must be provided to receive the 5 points.

3 Grant County Worksite Wellness Program SILVER FLAG CRITERIA Sponsored by: Fitness For Life Around Grant (FFLAG) County You have the worksite wellness basics down, and are ready to take it up a notch. Earn a SILVER level flag by accumulating points through the implementation of these worksite wellness strategies. SILVER FLAG STATUS 60 POINTS Senior Management Support (15 points): Baseline requirement: Documented senior level support (bronze level criteria), plus: Silver requirement: Staffing allocations for wellness are designated. A key employee has at least 5% of their time designated towards worksite wellness initiatives (considered worksite wellness coordinator), and members of the worksite wellness team are able to attending any worksite wellness related meetings during work time. Written documentation of name of worksite wellness coordinator and how much of their time is designated towards worksite wellness, and documentation of worksite wellness team meeting participants must be provided to receive the 15 points. Wellness Leader/Team (10 points): Silver requirement: Wellness team must be in place for at least 12 months AND must hold at least biannually (twice/year) worksite wellness team meetings. Documentation through worksite wellness team meeting minutes must be provided to receive the 10 points. Data Collection (5 points): Baseline requirement: Initial employee health/interest survey conducted in bronze level criteria, plus: Silver requirement: An annual (once yearly) health/interest survey should be conducted with employees. This survey will help to annually assess employee interest, as well as any positive (or negative) healthy behavior changes from year to year. These surveys will serve as the tool to determining what types of worksite wellness initiatives will be implemented each year. Documentation through a survey results report must be provided to receive the 5 points.

4 Operating Plan (5 points): Silver requirement: A clear mission/vision statement developed for worksite wellness program. With the worksite wellness team in place for at least 12 months, a clear mission/vision statement must be developed for the worksite wellness program. Documentation through a copy of the mission/vision statement must be provided to earn the 5 points. Programming (5 points): Silver requirement: Implementation of at least two health awareness programs targeted to employees. Based on the annual employee health/interest survey, at least two health awareness programs should be offered to employees. Health awareness programs are programs that increase the participant level of awareness or interest in a health topic such as diabetes, heart disease, common health screenings for different age groups, stress management, etc. Actual behavior change or improvement in health does not usually happen as a result of these types of programs; however awareness is a key first step that helps lead an individual to changing behaviors. Written documentation through listing of awareness programs offered (and how the programs were delivered posters, handouts, newsletters, health fair, lunch and learn, etc ) must be provided to earn the 5 points. Supportive Environments (15): Baseline requirement: organization encouragement of employee participation in community wellness events (bronze level criteria), plus: Silver requirement: Implementation of at least 2-4 supportive environment changes to the workplace. Creating supportive environments for wellness at the workplace play a critical role in helping employees to adopt healthier behaviors. This type of change helps to make the healthy choice, the easy choice. These can be physical changes or creation of policy. Some examples of supportive environment changes include: Change the food available in vending machines to 50% healthier options. Vending contractors usually have a healthier line of food and you can request this change to be made. Designating an Employee Wellness educational display area at the worksite (an area to hang posters or local restaurant menus with highlighted healthier options; to advertise upcoming wellness events at the worksite or in the community). Allowing for shared use of conference rooms for worksite wellness-related activities (lunchtime yoga or exercise groups, lunch and learns, etc ) Providing a designated lunch area equipped with a clean refrigerator and a clean microwave. Creating and promoting a designated area for walking around the worksite or immediate area using existing structures (sidewalks, parking lots, and unused roads). Creating a designated walking path on worksite property (a graded mulched or paved path at least 1/8 of a mile in length). Providing bike racks for employees choosing to ride their bikes to work.

5 Creating a shower facility for men and women (this promotes physical activity during lunch time, and will allow for fitness classes to be held if the company chooses to do so). Creating an onsite fitness facility to be used by employees or negotiate employee discounts with local fitness facilities. Providing wellness-related classes onsite for employees (Weight Watchers, Cooper Clayton Smoking Cessation classes, etc ) Allowing employees the opportunity to hold walking meetings if possible Creating a Worksite Tobacco Policy Creating a nutrition policy to address incorporating healthier food options in organizationsponsored meetings and vending Creating an overall workplace wellness policy addressing various aspects of wellness Written documentation through a list of supportive environment changes incorporated into the workplace must be provided to earn the 15 points. Evaluation (5): Silver requirement: Use of participant pre/post survey to assess increase in employee awareness/knowledge of selected awareness program topics. The main goal of an awareness program is to bring the health issue to the forefront and encourage participants to begin to think about the topic and how it may relate to their health behaviors. Behavior change (participants taking action to make changes to a specific health behavior) is not an expected outcome of an awareness program. Evaluation of awareness programs will help you gather information to determine if the programs were effective in increasing awareness/knowledge of the health topic among employees. A participant survey can be conducted to assess items such as: success of chosen method(s) for information dissemination; changes in participant awareness of importance of the health topic; if the participants learned anything new about the health topic; if the participants learned where they can find more information about the health topic, etc. Documentation through a survey results report must be provided to receive the 5 points.

6 Grant County Worksite Wellness Program GOLD FLAG CRITERIA Sponsored by: Fitness For Life Around Grant (FFLAG) County Continue to enhance and build your worksite wellness program within your organization. Earn a GOLD level flag by accumulating points through the implementation of these worksite wellness strategies. GOLD FLAG STATUS 100 POINTS Senior Management Support (25 points): Gold requirement: Maintenance or enhancement of allocation for wellness related to staffing, programming, space and time. Wellness Leader/Team (10 points): Gold requirement: Wellness team must be in place for at least 18 months AND must hold at least biannually (twice/year) worksite wellness team meetings. Documentation through worksite wellness team meeting minutes must be provided to receive the 10 points. Data Collection (15 points): Baseline requirement: Annual employee health/interest survey (bronze/silver criteria), plus: Gold requirement: Include option for additional annual onsite health screenings to employees as part of annual employee health/wellness interest survey. In addition to the annual employee health survey, offer additional free/low-cost onsite health screenings** for employees such as blood pressure, cholesterol, vision, hearing, etc. There are outside organizations hospitals, non-profit groups that your organization may be able to contact to set up these types of screenings. Offering these services onsite for free/low-cost will offer convenience to the employees, keeping them from having to take time off of work to obtain these services off-site. Written documentation through a list of health screenings offered must be provided to earn the 15 points. **These, and other health-related screenings, should not replace an individual s Primary Care Physician (PCP). Participants should share their screening results with their PCP and continue their regular schedule of prevention/care.

7 Operating Plan (10 points): Baseline requirement: clear mission/vision statement created (silver level criteria), plus: Gold requirement: Specific goals and measurable objectives created for worksite wellness program. The worksite wellness team should write specific goals and measurable objectives for the wellness program. Results from the employee interest surveys, health screenings and program evaluations should be used to help guide the goals/objectives. Documentation through a copy of the goals/objectives must be provided to earn the 10 points. Programming (15 points): Baseline requirement: implementation of at least two awareness programs targeted to employees (silver level criteria), plus: Gold requirement: At least two health behavior change programs are targeted to employees focusing on any wellness topics. Behavior change wellness programs are programs that aim to participants build the skills necessary to successfully change a less healthy behavior. The programs provide a goal for participants to work towards, such as eating 5 fruits/vegetables a day, being physically active at least 3 days a week, etc. During the program, participants are then provided resources (such as tracking chart, additional education) to help them reach the program goal. Written documentation through listing of health behavior change programs offered must be provided to earn the 15 points. Need to have at least 25% of employees participating to get the points. Supportive Environments (15 points): Baseline requirement: organization encouragement of employee participation in community wellness events (bronze level criteria), Implementation of at least 2 supportive environment changes to the workplace (silver level criteria), plus: Gold requirement: Implementation of at least two additional supportive environment changes to the workplace. Your organization should continue to assess your environment as it relates to supporting employees wellness efforts. Creating supportive environments for wellness at the workplace play a critical role in helping employees to adopt healthier behaviors. This type of change helps to make the healthy choice, the easy choice. These can be physical changes or creation of policy. Some examples of supportive environment changes include: Change the food available in vending machines to 50% healthier options. Vending contractors usually have a healthier line of food and you can request this change to be made.

8 Designating an Employee Wellness educational display area at the worksite (an area to hang posters or local restaurant menus with highlighted healthier options; to advertise upcoming wellness events at the worksite or in the community). Allowing for shared use of conference rooms for worksite wellness-related activities (lunchtime yoga or exercise groups, lunch and learns, etc ) Providing a designated lunch area equipped with a clean refrigerator and a clean microwave. Creating and promoting a designated area for walking around the worksite or immediate area using existing structures (sidewalks, parking lots, and unused roads). Creating a designated walking path on worksite property (a graded mulched or paved path at least 1/8 of a mile in length). Providing bike racks for employees choosing to ride their bikes to work. Creating a shower facility for men and women (this promotes physical activity during lunch time, and will allow for fitness classes to be held if the company chooses to do so). Creating an onsite fitness facility to be used by employees or negotiate employee discounts with local fitness facilities. Providing wellness-related classes onsite for employees (Weight Watchers, Cooper Clayton Smoking Cessation classes, etc ) Allowing employees the opportunity to hold walking meetings if possible Creating a Worksite Tobacco Policy Creating a nutrition policy to address incorporating healthier food options in organizationsponsored meetings and vending Creating an overall workplace wellness policy addressing various aspects of wellness Written documentation through a list of supportive environment changes incorporated into the workplace must be provided to earn the 15 points. Evaluation (10 points): Gold requirement: Evaluation tools in place to measure participation rates, satisfaction and change in participant knowledge, attitude and behavior. Evaluation allows you determine if the programs are well-received and effective. Pre/Post program surveys allow you to determine if participants enjoyed the program, gained additional knowledge on the topic, developed/strengthened a specific skill set, and/or began to make any health behavior changes. You can also determine program participation rate and gather input from staff for ideas to improve the programs being offered. Documentation through a survey results report must be provided to receive the 10 points.

9 Grant County Worksite Wellness Program PLATINUM FLAG CRITERIA Sponsored by: Fitness For Life Around Grant (FFLAG) County You ve created a mature worksite wellness program and are ready to focus on sustainability to support all of your organization s wellness efforts! Earn a PLATINUM level flag by accumulating points through the implementation of these worksite wellness strategies. PLATINUM FLAG STATUS 150 POINTS Senior Management Support (40 points): Baseline requirement: Maintenance or enhancement of allocation for wellness related to staffing, programming, space and time (bronze/silver/gold level criteria), plus: Platinum requirement: Annual funding allocations for wellness initiatives are included within the organizations overall budget. Platinum level is about sustainability and one key to sustainability is the ability to have funding allocated specifically for worksite wellness-related activities (programming, supportive environment improvements, health screenings/health fairs, etc). This allocation does not have to be huge there are many wellness initiatives that can be done on a smaller budget. Funding will be determined by looking at the needs of the wellness program. Written documentation to show funding allocation is made towards wellness initiatives must be provided to earn the 40 points. Wellness Leader/Team (10 points): Platinum requirement: Wellness team must be in place for at least 24 months AND must hold at least biannually (twice/year) worksite wellness team meetings. Documentation through worksite wellness team meeting minutes must be provided to receive the 10 points. Data Collection (15 points): continue to meet bronze/silver/gold criteria Operating Plan (10 points): continue to meet silver/gold criteria Programming (15 points): continue to meet silver/gold criteria

10 Supportive Environments (40 points): Baseline requirement: organization encouragement of employee participation in community wellness events (bronze level criteria), Implementation of at least 4 supportive environment changes to the workplace (silver/gold level criteria), plus: Platinum requirement: Creation and implementation of a comprehensive worksite wellness policy for the organization. Policies are key when talking about sustainability. They provide backing/support for future worksite wellness initiatives. It shows employees that the organization cares about their health and wellbeing by making wellness such a priority and focus. A worksite wellness policy that is comprehensive goes beyond the focus of physical activity and healthy eating (i.e. healthy meeting and vending guidelines, encouraging physical activity at lunch time). A comprehensive policy also includes topics related to tobacco-use, stress management, availability of appropriate breastfeeding area(s) for mothers, etc. Documentation through a copy of the policy must be provided to earn the 40 points. Evaluation (20 points): Baseline requirements: Evaluation tools in place to measure awareness and behavior change program outcomes (silver/gold criteria), plus: Platinum requirement: Data gathered to show impact of workplace wellness in areas such as absentee/productivity rates, insurance costs, and injury rates. Beyond evaluating participant knowledge, attitude and behavior following a wellness program, you can also set up your evaluations to look at other areas within your organization as they relate to the impact of worksite wellness initiatives and the health of the workforce. You can show impact in areas such as absentee rate due to illness (as employees improve their health habits, they may not get sick as often), productivity rate (less sick days leads to more productive days), injury rates (i.e. impact from wellness programs related to proper lifting techniques), and return on investment. Documentation through a survey results report must be provided to receive the 20 points.