Determining a budget for creating a Workplace Health Promotion Program
Establishing a Workplace Health Promotion Program need not be expensive, but will require the commitment of some financial resources. If possible, include the Workplace Health Promotion Program in your corporation’s annual business plan and budget as you do for other efforts important to your corporation’s success.
How much to budget for the Workplace Health Promotion Program?
There is no one-size-fits-all formula for creating a Workplace Health Promotion Program that results in improved employee health. Organizations differ in how much money they need and how much they can make available for the Workplace Health Promotion Program. Consider the following common expenses in developing an adequate Workplace Health Promotion Program budget:
• Workplace Health Promotion Program staffing costs (either internal salaries or consultant fees)
• Workplace Health Promotion Program data collection costs (including health risk assessment costs, if relevant)
• Workplace Health Promotion Program incentives for healthy behaviors (such as discounts on premiums for non-smokers)
• Costs of Workplace Health Promotion Program Procedures to be started (such as costs of covering tobacco quit medications or costs of subsidizing healthy foods in the cafeteria or vending machines)
• Workplace Health Promotion Program administrative and communications expenses
In times of tight finances, be prepared to justify your requested Workplace Health Promotion Program budget. Arm yourself with data on potential short- and long-term outcomes of the proposed Workplace Health Promotion Program Procedures. Itemize the Workplace Health Promotion Program expenses of past initiatives and share projected expenses for initiatives planned for the upcoming year.
Sustaining Workplace Health Promotion Program Financing
A dedicated Workplace Health Promotion Program line item in your corporation’s budget makes it more likely to be regarded as a need, rather than as a “nice-to-have” amenity that could be cut when funds run low.
One of the best Procedures for ensuring continued financial support for the Workplace Health Promotion Program is frequent communication to leadership, including:
• How many staff members have you reached through the Workplace Health Promotion Program? Has morale increased? Have health risks decreased, e.g., fewer staff members using tobacco, more staff members active?
• How well are you managing the Workplace Health Promotion Program resources you’ve been given? Where and how has your budget been spent? Keep track of the staff time required for each initiative and be able to present the numbers at any time.
• Anecdotal Workplace Health Promotion Program success stories from staff members. Don’t underestimate the power of a good story to put a human face on your success.
Additional sources of Workplace Health Promotion Program Financing
If necessary, have the individuals responsible for creating a Workplace Health Promotion Program look for ways to supplement available internal funds. Are there grants or other funding available that can help support your Workplace Health Promotion Program ? What community Workplace Health Promotion Program resources could you use to meet some of your needs?
