Posted by Employer Wellness | Posted in Employer Wellness | Posted on 10-10-2008
In addition to looking at the health behaviors of staff members, take a good look at your employer. The following questions can help you identify opportunities for your employer to support and encourage healthy behaviors among staff members.
A strong foundation for employee health improvement
1. To what extent does the senior management in your employer actively and visibly support the Employee Health Promotion Program?
__ No support for the Employer Wellness Program
__ Support, but not at senior level
__ Support at senior level, but not visible to staff members
__ Strong and visible Employer Wellness Program support
Comments:
2. Is the Employer Wellness Program tied to your employer’s mission statement?
__ No
__ Yes, the Employer Wellness Program is tied to business plan OR mission statement
__ Yes, the Employer Wellness Program is tied to both business plan and mission statement
Comments:
3. Is there an staff member within your employer whose job responsibilities include Employer Wellness Program coordination?
__ No
__ Yes, but has little time available to dedicate to Employer Wellness Program
__ Yes, and has at least component of the job dedicated to Employer Wellness Program
__ Yes, and has at least one full-time position dedicated to Employer Wellness Program
__ Yes, and has at least component of the job dedicated to wellness AND has a background that includes Employer Wellness Program qualifications
__ Yes, our employer has at least one full-time position dedicated to health improvement AND the staff member’s background includes Employer Wellness Program qualifications
Comments:
4. Does your employer have an active wellness committee with diverse representation?
__ No (does not have a Health Promotion Committee, or has a committee that doesn’t meet)
__ Yes, we have a Health Promotion Committee, but with limited representation
__ Yes, we have a Health Promotion Committee with widespread representation
__ Yes, we have a Health Promotion Committee with widespread representation AND committee involvement is part of each representative’s job responsibilities
Comments:
5. Does your employer have an annual budget for Employer Wellness Program expenses? (Employee Wellness Program expenses may be associated with offering a health assessment, paying for behavior change programs/coaching programs, covering rewards that encourage healthy behaviors, subsidizing healthy food options, communications and activities around specific health topics, fitness centers/walking paths, etc).
__ No
__ Yes, but funds are earmarked for Employee Health Promotion Programs (e.g. only for Weight Watchers or fitness discounts) and do not meet all existing Employer Wellness Program needs
__ Yes, funds are available to meet current Employer Wellness Program needs
Comments:
6. Does your employer have a plan for engaging staff members in the Employee Health Promotion Program?
__ No
__ Yes, we have a communications plan for our Employer Wellness Program
__ Yes, we have a communication plan AND we offer meaningful incentives or rewards (such as premium discounts or debit cards) for the Employer Wellness Program to engage in healthy behaviors.
Comments:
A data-based approach to the Employer Wellness Program
7. Does your employer have clearly stated Employer Wellness Program goals and priorities for employee health improvement?
__ No
__ Yes
__ Yes, data (e.g. HRA, claims, productivity) are the basis for defining Employer Wellness Program goals or priorities
__ Yes, data AND evidence-based best practices are a basis for defining Employer Wellness Program goals or priorities
__ Yes, data and best practices are basis for defining Employer Wellness Program goals or priorities as well as measuring Employer Wellness Program progress (assessment)
Comments:
8. Has your employer completed a Health Risk Assessment?
__ No
__ Yes, but more than 2 years ago
__ Yes, within the last two years, and achieved a participation rate of less than 50 percent
__ Yes, within the last two years, and achieved a 50 percent – 79 percent participation rate
__ Yes, within the last two years, and achieved an 80 percent or greater participation rate
Comments:
A workplace environment that supports healthy behaviors
9. Does your employer’s tobacco reduction strategy reflect best practices?
(Check all that apply)
__ A no-smoking policy that includes both buildings AND grounds
__ 100 percent coverage for the cost of over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy
__ Worker access to – and strong promotion of — a tailored stop-smoking program
Comments:
10. Does your employer provide opportunities (time and places) for physical activity during the work day?
__ No
__ Yes, indoor places for physical activity (on-site fitness center) OR outdoor places for physical activity (walking paths)
__ Yes, both indoor AND outdoor places for physical activity
__ Yes, indoor and outdoor opportunities AND staff members can use work time for physical activity
Comments:
11. Does your employer promote healthy eating by offering access to fruits and vegetables?
__ No
__ Yes, fruits and vegetables are available at the workplace (in vending machines, break areas, or cafeterias)
__ Yes, fruits and vegetables are available and discounted at the workplace
Comments:
Benefits that support employee health improvement
12. Does your employer provide staff members with self-care resources?
(Check all that apply)
__ Distribution of self-care books
__ internet-based access to health information
__ Nurse advice line
Comments:
13. Which of the following preventive services are covered at 100 percent by your employer’s health benefits?
(Check all that apply)
__ Vision screening
__ Hearing
__ Immunizations (per CDC/ACIP recommendations)
__ Radiology
__ Laboratory services
__ STD screening
__ Preventive health examination for adults
__ Cancer screen (includes: colon, cervical, breast, prostate and ovarian cancers)
__ Contraceptive management
Comments:
14. Which of the following are included in your employer’s pharmacy benefit?
(Check all that apply)
__ Mail order or other 90-day supply option for medications
__ Specialty pharmacy network
__ Incentive-based tiered formulary design
Comments:
15. Do your employer’s health benefits provide coverage for behavioral health (such as depression, mental illness, counseling, stress management, and chemical dependency)?
__ Yes, at the same level as health benefits
__ Yes, but at a lower level (less coverage) than health benefits
__ No coverage for mental or behavioral health
Comments: