Using behavior change programs to promote employee health

An integral part of an employee wellness program is known as behavior change programs. These programs are set up to help an employee improve their health by making a long lasting change, in a certain behavior. Behavior change programs differ significantly from other aspects of employee wellness, in the fact that this type of program, is designed to not just motivate, but bring about the desired change in behavior. If an employer is considering setting up an employee wellness program, they should educate themselves on what a behavior change program is and what it can accomplish. Here is what you need to know about using behavior change programs to promote employee health-

- Know what a behavior change program can do-It can be extremely difficult to make long term and lasting changes in the areas of weight control, fitness or even smoking cessation. The changes that are needed in these areas often require a more intensive type of program, in order for the employee to be successful. This is where a behavior change program can be effective. No only can the behavior change program educate the employee, it can also bring about a long term behavior, coupled with incentives and follow up. This provides a positive environment, in which the employee can make the desired change.
- Understand the dynamics behind the behavior change program-One way that behavior change programs can help, is if the design of the program addresses the many different stages that an employee desiring to make a change, can go through. While many people desire to make a change, it often takes a traumatic or stressful event to serve as the catalyst to make the change. Sometimes the detection of a minor health problem, through the use of employee wellness health screenings, can be enough to push the employee into making a change. Sometimes family and friends must intervene before the employee is motivated. No matter what the catalyst is to make the change, employers need to understand that the behavior change program will not be effective, until the employee is highly motivated. This is true, no matter how incentive driven the behavior change program is designed to be.
- Set up the behavior change program to be successful-There are certain guidelines that will help you in establishing a behavior change program that will be effective with your employees. These guidelines include but are not limited to:
1. Make sure that all aspects of the behavior change program are goal specific. This means that each step of the program should include tasks that need to be accomplished, during a certain time period. In addition, the tasks that are required should be highly specific.
2. Make sure that all goals are realistic and reachable. If the goals of the behavior change program are not realistic, then most employees will simply become frustrated and give up with the program.
3. Make sure that all goals are broken down into smaller goals. There are very few significant goals that can be reached in one step. It is important to break down the goals, into smaller and more reachable goals. This will give the employee a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that will help them to stick with the program and achieve their ultimate goal of changing their behavior.
4. Make sure that each stepping stone along the way is attached to a reward when it is accomplished.
- Take a long term approach-Many employers lose faith in behavior change programs, because some employers find it to difficult to maintain the changes over the long term. It is important to take a long term approach when offering behavior change programs. A segment of the program should deal with the challenges that employees will face in maintaining their new and desired behavior. This will help the employee understand that the desired behavior is for their long term health.