Employee involvement is an important aspect of worksite wellness programs during all phases. Having a wellness team instead of only a single wellness champion can ensure the long term success of the program. Groups typically generate more and better ideas than individuals and this translates to wellness teams (Healthy Workforce 2010, 2001). Having a diverse wellness team can also help with continuity of the wellness program, especially when staff turnover is involved.
The wellness committee should be formed at the beginning of the process. When forming the wellness committee, it is critical to include a cross section of all employees that will participate in the wellness program including management, human resources, finance, and workers from the general population. A diverse committee will help assure the program meets the needs of all employees and improve potential buy in from their peers. It is important to include both employees that are enthusiastic about wellness as well as those that are indifferent or skeptical (Healthy Workforce 2010, 2001). Many employees may not identify well with a committee comprised of athletes and may not feel the program is for them too.