Worksite Wellness

Healthy Living

HHW Heart Check

What is expected of a worksite that becomes a participant in the WWTC program?

How much does it cost to be part of the WWTC program?

How much time does it take to be a WWTC worksite?

How long a commitment is the WWTC program?

Does our organization need to sign a contract to participate?

Do "environmental changes" or "wellness" include things like indoor air quality and ventilation?

Do we have to have a wellness committee?

What is expected...

To establish their wellness program, new WWTC participants should follow these guidelines:

1. The Heart Check survey must be completed at the start of the program.
2. Designate an employee coordinator who will work with TCHD staff to implement and follow through the program
3. Form a wellness committee that holds monthly meetings at least 3 times in a 4-month period
4. Set at least 3 environmentally based worksite wellness objectives, at least one of which address nutrition and and one physical activity.

The coordinator will be in charge of recruiting the wellness committee. The wellness committee will determine the wellness objectives. And the program will proceed from there. The TCHD staff member will attend the first few wellness committee meetings.

Back Up to Questions

Cost of WWTC

There is no direct cost for WWTC worksites. However, there is a time commitment for employees who become wellness committee members.

How much time does it take to be a WWTC worksite?

In the first 4-6 weeks of the program, the coordinator might spend an average 1-2 hours a week. Wellness committee members might spend an average 1-2 hours a month over the first 4-6 months. After that, the time spent varies by worksite, but in most cases won't exceed an hour or 2 a month, depending on what activities the wellness committee adopts, and how many volunteers are available to handle the work.

It is important to note that the "how much time does it take" question is most easily answered by, "how much time do you have?" Each wellness program should be developed well within the confines of the employees' work loads. This is definitely a case of the slow, steady tortoise beating out the overextended hare.

Back Up to Questions

How long a commitment is the WWTC program?

The WWTC workplan calls for assessing the changes that have taken place at a worksite 18 months after the site begins the program.

Does our organization need to sign a contract to participate?

WWTC asks worksites to sign a commitment form, but not a contract. The commitment form is merely an acknowledgment by the worksite coordinator that a good faith effort will he made to complete the WWTC program, and that senior management is aware of the organization's involvement.

Back Up to Questions

Does environmental change mean indoor air quality?

Not with regard to the WWTC program. Indoor air quality, which relies on the worksite infrastructure, is often classified as a safety consideration. Similarly, noise levels, eye protection, and exposure to toxic substances are safety issues. Workstation design and equipment as it relates to ergonomics, may be part of a worksite's safety program or part of a wellness program.

WWTC focuses on the everyday choices we make that affect our long term health. These are "lifestyle" choices or behaviors, and include things like what we eat, how much exercise we get, and whether or not we smoke or spend time around tobacco smoke.

Long term health is measured by how much more likely we are to get a disease that leaves us disabled or dead at a younger age that normally expected.

Back Up to Questions

Is a wellness committee required?

No, but yes... The benefits of having a wellness committee are, more ideas, broader ownership of the program, more people to do the work, continuity and stability in the event of staff turn-over or reassignment. The problem with not having a wellness committee is that you don't get any of the benefits. As such, forming a wellness committee is strongly recommended.