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Successful Employee Wellness Programs Start at the Top

manager talking to his employee

Want your employees to be more engaged with your wellness program? Get your senior leadership involved. Research has shown that the more people in leadership roles are involved in and support their company’s wellness programs, the more successful the program will be.

Here’s how senior leadership can support their wellness programs and promote a healthy lifestyle to all their employees.

Set a Positive Example

Positive, healthy attitudes and an interest in the corporate wellness program starts at the top and trickles down through all levels of the company. When you set the example for healthy behaviors, you’re showing enthusiastic support for your company’s workplace wellness program. This encourages your employees to jump on board with the same level of engagement. Like a domino effect, more and more employees will participate in your wellness program.

Show Genuine Interest

When you show you’re genuinely interested in corporate wellness, your employees will take notice. They tend to see more value and possibility in these programs. They know the company takes this initiative seriously. Don’t just encourage your company to attend exercises and health fairs, actively participate in these activities. Model healthy eating and encourage employees to do the same. Bring recipes to share at lunch. Your employees will take cues from your behavior.

Learn more about workplace wellness.*

Create an Open Environment

According to studies by Gallup, building a trusting, open relationship with your employees is more likely to not only increase their engagement with their work, but also with other corporate initiatives like a wellness program. Make sure you’re engaged with your employees and that they feel comfortable going to you with wellness concerns.

Share Your Experience

Don’t stop at influencing just your team. Let your voice be heard around the company by providing testimonials to employees in newsletters, emails and other company publications. Offer to speak at corporate events and volunteer at wellness related events in the community.

As a leader within your company, you play a pivotal role in creating and fostering a culture that supports employee wellness. One essential key is consistency. Continue to encourage an environment of wellness, day in and day out, and an enthusiasm for corporate wellness will permeate the entire company.

For employers: Wellness programs are regulated by federal and state law. Consult your legal counsel before implementing any program component.

Judy Wilson

Judy Wilson is a writer and editor specializing in varied content areas, including health, wellness, food, cooking and nutrition. She enjoys educating others and enabling them to lead fulfilling lives of vibrant health. You can follow Judy on Twitter @EvergreenWords.

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Get more information about specific health terms, topics and conditions to better manage your health on bcbst.com. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee members can access wellness-related discounts on fitness products, gym memberships, healthy eating and more through Blue365®. BCBST members can also find tools and resources to help improve health and well-being by logging into BlueAccess and going to the Managing Your Health tab.

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Judy Wilson is a writer and editor specializing in varied content areas, including health, wellness, food, cooking and nutrition. She enjoys educating others and enabling them to lead fulfilling lives of vibrant health. You can follow Judy on Twitter @EvergreenWords.

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WellTuned provides inspiration and practical advice for healthy living.
WellTuned does not offer medical advice. Any personal health questions should be addressed to your doctor.

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