How to motivate your employees to use the employee wellness program

If you are abusiness owner you may have become educated about the fact that employee health is a priority for every business. The bottom line is that healthy employees are more productive employees. This had led to the widespread development of employee wellness program. However, it is important to understand that not matter how great your employee wellness program is if you don't successfully get your employee involved then it is simply a waste of time and money. You will need to determine the best ways to get your employees involved in your employee wellness program if you want it to truly be effective. Here is what you need to know about how to motivate your employees to use the employee wellness program-

- It all starts with communication-The way that you communicate about your employee wellness program will be the first way that you motivate your employees. You will need to market your employee wellness program in the most positive and inspiring light if you hope to get your employees involved. If your employees feel that the employee wellness program has little value for them or they don't see why they should get involved then there is little chance that the program will be successful. Using creative methods of communication can get your employees interest and keep it while you show them what the employee wellness program can do for them. Once you have done that you have begun the motivation process.
- Have rewards that are of value to your employees-It is important to understand that while there will be some employees who are looking for ways to lose weight, get fit, or become healthier just because they want to, for most of your employees this won't be true. The old adage of "what's in for me?" will apply here. You will need to offer your employee something of tangible value that will motivate them to want to join the employee wellness program. Keep in mind that these rewards will need to be something of value to them. If you have done the right amount of research in the planning stages of your employee wellness program then you will have already found out what those rewards can be. Some possible rewards include but are not limited to: cash, paid time off, vacations, gift cards to local merchants, or even a reduction on their healthcare premiums.
- Spread out the rewards-Another important part of motivating your employees is making sure that the rewards you offer are spread out throughout the employee wellness program. If all of the rewards are given up front your employees will quickly lose interest and stop participating in the employee wellness program. You want set goals for your employees to achieve that will enable them to continue working toward bigger results and bigger rewards. If you plan the rewards of your employee wellness program in the right way you may even find that participation increases as time goes on.
- Be consistent-Many times employees are hesitant to get involved in new programs because past experience has shown that past programs are "here today, gone tomorrow". You want to make sure that you are consistent with your employee wellness program and the rewards that you offer in order to motivate your employees to participate. This way your employees will be much more likely to get involved and stay involved with your employee wellness program. When your employees know that you are committed to helping them improve their health for the long term they are far more likely to be motivated to get involved with the employee wellness program.