Prior to you start drafting your Employee Health Promotion Program you need to know where you are now and then decide where you want to go. Attaining a thorough needs assessment is vital to the performance of your wellness program for two reasons: First it ensures that your Employee Health Promotion Program activities will be targeted to meet your company’s specific needs so that outcomes can be achieved. Secondly the needs assessment supports the information you will need to evaluate the effectiveness of your wellness program.
It is frequently tempting to rush the assessment – especially when time is short or those with experience already have an idea of needs. Do not give in to this temptation! It is vital to know what your corporation needs are, what senior staff expects, and what workers want as well as expect, before you create a Worksite Health Promotion Program.
Consider and gather data on:
• Employee Demographic Information
• Employee Health Risk Factors
• Medical Claims
• Injury Rates & Causes
• Workers’ Compensation Claims
• Short and Long Term Disability Claims
• Absenteeism
• Corporation Culture Audits
• Employee perceived needs and health risks
• Upper Management’s expectations or desired outcomes
There are many ways to assess this information. Although some of data gathering process may be time consuming, remember that it is nonetheless critical to plan programs that target specific concerns. This information will be critical to set objectives and for evaluating program performance. How else can you know if outcomes have been achieved?
Options to help gather the information:
• Confidential Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) with a Employer Group Summary Report
• Wellness Screenings such as blood lipids, Blood Pressure and blood sugar click here for additional information on wellness screenings.
• Employee Needs and Interest Surveys
• Suggestion boxes placed around the organization
• Focus Groups or hosting a luncheon meeting as a focus group
• Sending out a confidential email questionnaire
• Review records and databases including OSHA logs, first aid reports, insurance expenditures
Once your needs assessment is complete, the Corporate Health Promotion Program Committee can review the outcome and begin drafting and prioritizing program options. Creating must be based upon objectives and goals and identified outcomes, Step 4 of the seven step process!
