How much to budget for the Corporate Health and Wellness Program?

There is no one-size-fits-all formula for creating a Corporate Health and Wellness Program that results in improved employee health. Organizations differ in how much money they need and how much they can make available for the Corporate Health and Wellness Program. Consider the following common expenses in developing an adequate Corporate Health and Wellness Program budget:

• Corporate Health and Wellness Program staffing costs (either internal salaries or consultant fees)

• Corporate Health and Wellness Program data collection costs (including health risk assessment costs, if relevant)

• Corporate Health and Wellness Program rewards for healthy behaviors (such as discounts on premiums for non-smokers)

• Costs of Corporate Health and Wellness Program Strategies to be implemented (such as costs of covering tobacco quit medications or costs of subsidizing healthy foods in the cafeteria or vending machines)

• Corporate Health and Wellness Program administrative and communications expenses

In times of tight finances, be prepared to justify your requested Corporate Health and Wellness Program budget. Arm yourself with data on potential short- and long-term outcomes of the proposed Corporate Health and Wellness Program Strategies. Itemize the Corporate Health and Wellness Program expenses of past initiatives and share projected expenses for initiatives planned for the upcoming year.

Sustaining Corporate Health and Wellness Program Financing

A dedicated Corporate Health and Wellness Program line item in your organization’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 Strategies for ensuring continued financial support for the Corporate Health and Wellness Program is frequent communication to upper management, including:

• How many workers have you reached through the Corporate Health and Wellness Program? Has morale increased? Have health risks decreased, e.g., fewer workers using tobacco, more workers active?

• How well are you managing the Corporate Health and Wellness 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 Corporate Health and Wellness Program success stories from workers. Don’t underestimate the power of a good story to put a human face on your success.

Supplemental sources of Corporate Health and Wellness Program Financing

If needed, have the individuals responsible for creating a Corporate Health and Wellness Program look for ways to supplement available internal funds. Are there grants or other financing available that can help support your Corporate Health and Wellness Program ? What community Corporate Health and Wellness Program resources could you use to meet some of your needs?