Despite the fact that small businesses comprise 99+ percent of all the businesses in the U.S., employees in these settings often have access to fewer benefits than do the employees who work in their larger counterparts. This means that a lot of people who work in small business settings don't have legitimate access to healthcare—and with a rapidly aging population, that's a precarious situation at best.
Thus, given the enormous number of people who work in small businesses and the relative lack of access to benefits and healthcare, health promotion programs are rapidly gaining momentum.
The Well Workplace—Small Business Initiative
In order to serve those organizations that have a smaller employee-based population, WELCOA has developed the Well Workplace Awards Small Business initiative. Developed as an important addition to the already existing Well Workplace Awards process, the Small Business initiative provides employers in organizations with 50 or fewer employees an opportunity to structure a wellness program that complements their worksite setting.
The Small Business Criterion
There are ten specific steps that a small business must take in order to be considered for a Well Workplace Small Business Award. These ten steps include:
- Capturing CEO Support
- Designating a Company Wellness Leader
- Conducting an Employee Health Interest Survey
- Providing an Opportunity for Health Screening
- Administering an Annual Physical Activity Campaign
- Holding a Healthy Eating In-service/Lunch 'n Learn
- Establishing an In-house Wellness Library
- Disseminating a Quarterly Health Newsletter
- Implementing Healthy Policies and Procedures
- Supporting Community Health Efforts
WELCOA dedicated two issues of Absolute Advantage—WELCOA's membership magazine—to the Well Workplace Small Business initiative. To learn more about the criterion and how you can incorporate these ten steps into your small business setting, simply touch on the buttons below.
WELCOA Members Have Access To More
WELCOA Members have access to additional resources regarding workplace wellness and small business settings. Surveys, samples, case studies, incentive campaigns, and other valuable resources are provided to members as part of their package of member benefits.