Workplace Wellness Guide

The appropriate incentive or reward will depend on the action required and the specifics of the population involved.

The Basics:
Incentives can be monetary (e.g., a cash reward or reduced deductible), tangible (e.g., a health-related toy or freebie such as a pedometer) or intangible (e.g., public recognition).

Goals:
The goal of offering incentive programs or activities is to increase and retain participation. Make sure that the actions required to receive an incentive in a given program are doable (e.g., a 10-pound weight loss). Completing a 6 week cessation class, or 2 "brown-bag" health lectures. Also ensure that your incentive programs or activities are accessible to all employees and dependents.

How To Start:
Start small and grow the program as participation, rate and employee acceptance increase. Initially, consider providing incentives for a single program or for single aspects of a basic program. Then over time, increase the incentive programs and the requirements to receive incentives. This allows employees to get used to programs and change to occur more gradually.

Healthy Reward Ideas:
Offer free or discounted health-related items.
Providing free health-related items such as incentives for participation or compliance with programs can increase participation and retention rates. Items should directly correspond to the healthy behavior.

For example; an employee who walks a 5K, can be provided with a free pedometer to monitor future walking.

Offer special pricing on outside gyms and physical activity classes.
Offering discounts on gym memberships and other physical activity classes will remove financial barriers and encourage participation.

Offer monetary rewards for participation and/or compliance with disease management or health improvement programs.
Many individuals will change their behavior or participate in a program for a financial reward. Monetary rewards can be offered as a contribution to a health savings account or a health reimbursement account. If using monetary rewards as an incentive, make sure that the reward matches the behavior or action.

For example; a small change in behavior such as walking 10,000 steps a day for a week, should receive a much smaller reward than a major behavioral change such as quitting smoking.

1. WEAR A PEDOMETER AT WORK. Since every step counts, wearing a pedometer is wonderful motivator to move more during your workday.

2. WALK AROUND THE OFFICE. There's no need to sit still while you talk on the phone or think. Pacing and fidgeting are physical activity.

3. WALK AROUND THE BUILDING. Sometimes a face-to-face talk is the best way to communicate (and it gets you up and moving around).

4. WALK UP (AND DOWN) THE STAIRS. If you have a choice, always take the stairs. If you have stairs, take as many trips up and down as possible.

5. WALK AROUND THE BLOCK. Got a coffee break? Got a few free minutes? Take a walk outside and get some fresh air (and extra steps).

6. WALK AND TALK. Need to discuss something with a co-worker? A walking meeting can be more productive and healthier too!

7. LIFT WEIGHTS WHILE YOU TALK. Keep a weight near the telephone; pick it up when you get a call and pump your arms while you talk.

8. TAKE A WEIGHT BREAK. Feeling tired and bogged down? Take five minutes to lift your hand weights and get your blood flowing.

9. WORK YOUR ABS. You can strengthen tummy muscles while sitting in a chair. Sit straight, tighten muscles and release. Repeat.

10. STRETCH YOUR STRESS AWAY. Stuck at your desk? Use a resistance band for a five minute stretch. Your mind and body will be more flexible. Tension in your shoulders, neck and back is easy to release with standing stretches and a resistance band.