Workplace Wellness Toolkit > Policy Quick-Guide

Policy Quick-Guide

Policy and environmental changes in the workplace can help support healthy behaviors. Policies can be formal or informal written statements. Environmental change refers to physical changes or improvements at the workplace. Both should be designed to help protect and enhance employee health.

There are many ways to create a healthier work environment with low or no-cost to your company. For example, workplaces can offer health-related employee incentives or increase access to health resources.

Workplace
Policies

The Chronic Disease Partners Model Policy work group develops policies to help you make positive changes in your workplace. Each one is evidence-based and can be adapted to fit your specific needs:

  • Tobacco-Free
  • Breastfeeding Support
  • Cancer Screening
  • Automated External Defibrillator(AED)
  • Physical Activity (PA)
  • Ultraviolet(UV) Protection
EXPLORE WORKPLACE MODEL POLICIES

Environmental Changes

There are many ways to take small steps that can have a huge impact on employee health, positive workplace
culture, and productivity. And remember, the best way to promote healthy lifestyles is to model healthy
behaviors!

Here are some ideas for your team to consider:

HEALTHY CATEGORYSTRATEGIES TO CONSIDER
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
  • Encourage walking during breaks or over lunch
  • Provide a safe walking environment on facility grounds
  • Provide clean, safe, and appealing stairwells to promote their use
  • Promote accessibility for bikes (i.e. bike racks) or other forms of transportation
  • Onsite fitness area
  • Offsite fitness facility
  • Outdoor walking path
  • Reduced fitness membership rates
  • Incentives (well days off, periodic bonuses, discounts on health insurance, prizes)
  • Fitness assessment on or off site
  • Provides signage that encourages physical activity (walking, weights, stretching)
  • Education resources (physical activity tips, avoiding injuries, training)
  • Fitness or wellness challenges
NUTRITION
  • Offer healthy food alternatives at meetings, company functions, potlucks, and celebrations
  • Make water available throughout the day
  • Offer and identify healthy food choices in vending machines, snack bars, and/or cafeterias (Munch Code)
  • Promote increased fruit and veggie consumption in catering/ cafeteria policies (Healthy Food Policy Project)
  • Plant an onsite garden that provides fresh produce
  • Provides signage that encourages healthy eating
  • Offer education resources on nutrition (healthy recipes, breastfeeding, vitamin facts, etc.)
  • Sink, microwave, and refrigerator access or storage of healthy snacks and meals
  • Provide a private area for nursing mothers
INSURANCE COVERAGE
  • Routine check-ups
  • General health risk assessments
  • Weight control and/or weight loss services
  • Cholesterol screening
  • Blood pressure screening
  • Diabetes screening
  • Cancer screening services such as colorectal
  • Adult immunizations, or shots for flu, mammograms, prostate exams, or pap tests pneumonia, or hepatitis B
  • Personal health coach
  • Tobacco cessation medications
  • Tobacco cessation programs
  • Oral Health
  • Eye care
  • Prescription coverage
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
HEALTH EQUITYProvide assistance for:
  • Pregnant women
  • Workers with disabilities
  • Languages other than English
TOBACCO
  • Prohibit tobacco use everywhere on grounds
MENTAL HEALTH
  • Promote awareness about the importance of mental health and stress management
  • Provide managers with training to help them recognize the signs and symptoms of stress and depression in employees

What’s Next?

Build sustainable wellness programs at your workplace

Learn ways to tackle chronic disease prevention and health promotion

Involve team members in policy and environmental changes at your workplace

Browse our list of trusted sources and tools for a healthier workplace

Prioritize the health of your employees to improve their well-being and boost ROI

Questions? Complete our Workplace Wellness contact form to get in touch with members of our team.