Policy Quick-Guide
Policy and environmental changes in the workplace can help support healthy behaviors. Policies can be formal or informal written statements. Environmental change refers to physical changes or improvements at the workplace. Both should be designed to help protect and enhance employee health.
There are many ways to create a healthier work environment with low or no-cost to your company. For example, workplaces can offer health-related employee incentives or increase access to health resources.
Workplace Policies
The Chronic Disease Partners Model Policy work group develops policies to help you make positive changes in your workplace. Each one is evidence-based and can be adapted to fit your specific needs:
- Tobacco-Free
- Breastfeeding Support
- Cancer Screening
- Automated External Defibrillator(AED)
- Physical Activity (PA)
- Ultraviolet(UV) Protection
Environmental Changes
There are many ways to take small steps that can have a huge impact on employee health, positive workplace culture, and productivity. And remember, the best way to promote healthy lifestyles is to model healthy behaviors! Here are some ideas for your team to consider:
HEALTHY CATEGORY: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER:
- Encourage walking during breaks or over lunch
- Provide a safe walking environment on facility grounds
- Provide clean, safe, and appealing stairwells to promote their use
- Promote accessibility for bikes (i.e. bike racks) or other forms of transportation
- Onsite fitness area
- Offsite fitness facility
- Outdoor walking path
- Reduced fitness membership rates
- Incentives (well days off, periodic bonuses, discounts on health insurance, prizes)
- Fitness assessment on or off site
- Provides signage that encourages physical activity (walking, weights, stretching)
- Education resources (physical activity tips, avoiding injuries, training)
- Fitness or wellness challenges
HEALTHY CATEGORY: NUTRITION
STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER:
- Offer healthy food alternatives at meetings, company functions, potlucks, and celebrations
- Make water available throughout the day
- Offer and identify healthy food choices in vending machines, snack bars, and/or cafeterias (Munch Code)
- Promote increased fruit and veggie consumption in catering/ cafeteria policies (Healthy Food Policy Project)
- Plant an onsite garden that provides fresh produce
- Provides signage that encourages healthy eating
- Offer education resources on nutrition (healthy recipes, breastfeeding, vitamin facts, etc.)
- Sink, microwave, and refrigerator access or storage of healthy snacks and meals
- Provide a private area for nursing mothers
HEALTHY CATEGORY: INSURANCE COVERAGE
STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER:
- Routine check-ups
- General health risk assessments
- Weight control and/or weight loss services
- Cholesterol screening
- Blood pressure screening
- Diabetes screening
- Cancer screening services such as colorectal
- Adult immunizations, or shots for flu, mammograms, prostate exams, or pap tests pneumonia, or hepatitis B
- Personal health coach
- Tobacco cessation medications
- Tobacco cessation programs
- Oral Health
- Eye care
- Prescription coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
HEALTHY CATEGORY: HEALTH EQUITY
STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER:
Provide assistance for:
- Pregnant women
- Workers with disabilities
- Languages other than English
HEALTHY CATEGORY: TOBACCO
STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER:
- Provide smoking cessation support (SD QuitLine)
- Prohibit tobacco use everywhere on grounds
HEALTHY CATEGORY: MENTAL HEALTH
STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER:
- Promote awareness about the importance of mental health and stress management
- Provide managers with training to help them recognize the signs and symptoms of stress and depression in employees
Why Workplace Wellness
Prioritize the health of your employees to improve their well-being and boost ROI
Questions? Complete our workplace wellness contact form to get in touch with members of our team.