Health Insurance Contributions

• The cost of health insurance coverage for employees is a major reason companies adopt wellness programs. Premiums for individual companies can rise based on the frequency and value of their claims, and a healthier workforce can serve to lower insurance premiums. Consider passing on some of your savings to employees who complete wellness programs, by lowering the amount of their personal contributions to their health insurance premiums.
  
  

Public Recognition

• Recognize program graduates in front of their peers at meetings and events. Post the names of participants and graduates in high-traffic areas to get the whole office excited about the program. Public recognition works as both positive reinforcement for participants and negative reinforcement for non-participants. Those who chose not to participate this time may think twice about joining the next program if they see how excited people are around the office.
  
  

Fitness Equipment

• If you are trying to get a large majority of your workforce on board with wellness programs, consider investing in fitness equipment for your organization if a certain percentage of your employees participate in and complete programs. Show your employees that you are serious about their health and well being, and that you are willing to take a big step to support them if they are willing to work hard at it together.
  
  

Break Policies

• Consider allowing wellness program participants to take longer lunch breaks, as long as they use the additional time to take a walk, jog or use the company fitness center. Actions speak louder than words; encouraging your workers to be more active while still chaining them to their desks eight hours a day sends conflicting messages. Encourage your wellness program participants to take an extra 30 minutes out of each work day to do a cardio workout or some other fitness activity. To take this a step further, consider setting up a short Frisbee game or other group activity outside during the extra lunch time.
  
  

Group Lunch

• Taking employees out to lunch is a common way to show your appreciation and reward them for their hard work. Wellness programs can teach employees how to cook and eat healthy, nutritious meals that are just as tasty as unhealthy options. Consider celebrating your employees' deeper understanding of nutrition by taking them out to lunch at a healthy, vegetarian restaurant. This can reinforce the fact that they can eat out and indulge while still being healthy.