Incentives for Employees to Get Active and Eat Right

Provide incentives for employees to get active and eat right

Incentives can both support and motivate participation among employees. Consider both formal or company incentives and informal or program rewards and prizes from local resources to reinforce participation in workplace wellness programs. Either way, it is important to provide incentives that are attractive and meaningful to your employees.

For example, you can provide small prizes, gift cards or cash to employees who engage in activities you want to reward – such as taking the stairs, starting a fitness program, taking a health risk assessment or making healthy food choices. On a larger scale, you can recognize measured adherence to defined wellness goals with more substantial rewards, such as a reduction in an employee’s premium contribution. (Before initiating such an incentive, be sure to check with your legal counsel to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements on insurance benefits.)

You can also make healthy choices easier for your employees. Support them by bringing in a dietitian for a “lunch-and-learn,” or by offering a fitness challenge with prizes.

Sometimes praise is the best incentive. Celebrate your employees when they take positive steps like losing weight or participating in walks and other fitness events. And don’t forget the power of one’s peers: Testimonials from employees who have succeeded in meeting health goals through your workplace wellness program will inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified agents.  Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC).  You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health.  Call us for details.

2007 Blue Cross and Blue Shield® Internal Association Data: http://www.workplacewellnessnc.com/plan-create/provide-incentives-for-employees-to-get-active-and-eat-right/

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at 8:11 pm and is filed under BCBSNC Insurance, Health & Nutrition. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.