Establishing a Corporate Wellness Program need not be expensive, but will require the commitment of some financial resources. If possible, include the Corporate Wellness Program in your business’s annual business plan and budget as you do for other efforts important to your business’s success.

How much to budget for the Corporate Wellness Program?

There is no one-size-fits-all formula for establishing a Corporate 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 Wellness Program. Consider the following common expenses in developing an adequate Corporate Wellness Program budget:

• • Corporate Wellness Program staffing costs (either internal salaries or consultant fees)
  • Corporate Wellness Program data collection costs (including health risk assessment costs, if relevant)
  • Corporate Wellness Program rewards for healthy behaviors (such as discounts on premiums for non-smokers)
  • Costs of Corporate Wellness Program Strategies to be started (such as costs of covering tobacco quit medications or costs of subsidizing healthy foods in the cafeteria or vending machines)
  • Corporate Wellness Program administrative and communications expenses

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

Sustaining Corporate Wellness Program Financing

A dedicated Corporate Wellness Program line item in your business’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 Wellness Program is frequent communication to leadership, including:

• • How many workers have you reached through the Corporate Wellness Program? Has morale increased? Have health risks decreased, e.g., fewer workers smoking, more workers active?
  • How well are you managing the Corporate 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 Wellness Program success stories from workers. Don’t underestimate the power of a good story to put a human face on your success.

Additional sources of Corporate Wellness Program Financing

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