Planning/Workplace Governance

Once assessment has been completed, including the analysis of collected data, the next step is organizational planning for what programs, policies, benefits, or environmental supports will become part of the workplace health program.

Individual behavior change can be achieved through coordinated programs, policies, benefits, and environmental changes to the workplace aimed at employee lifestyle factors and health risks. These interventions need a workplace governance  structure to provide the strategic direction, leadership, and organization necessary to operationalize the program elements.

Organizational strategies provide the infrastructure to ensure program objectives are achieved, employee health risks are appropriately managed, and the company’s resources are used responsibly.

Careful planning is critical to the program’s success. Building a program that is based on the needs of the employer and employees will put the workplace health program on solid footing and enhance participation and long term sustainability.

Program planning should be both strategic, including long term broad techniques to achieve program goals, as well as tactical, involving the specific actions or steps necessary to implement and evaluate the program’s efforts.

The overall program plan should involve:

• Systematic linking of multiple sources of data
• Ensuring confidentiality of employee information data
• Leveraging and building on existing activities with the goal of sustaining programs over time
• Diverse groups of individuals or organizations
• Multiple opportunities and methods for all employees to learn about and participate in the program’s activities    
• Maintaining flexibility as needed

Workplace Governance and Planning Strategies

Workplace Governance and Planning strategies include:

• Dedicating senior leadership support to serve as a program role model and champion
• Identifying a workplace health coordinator, council or committee to oversee and manage the program
• Developing a workplace health improvement plan to articulate and execute goals and strategies
• Dedicating the resources necessary to execute the program
• Communicating clearly and consistently with all employees
• Establishing a workplace health informatics system to collect and use data for planning and evaluation