1. Secure Staffing And Executive Leadership Support
- Identify wellness coordinator (preferably, at least half-time employee dedicated to wellness – ideally, a full-time wellness coordinator).
- Hold initial meeting with executive leadership, in consultation with CalHR and Labor to confirm support and discuss goals and framework.
2. Establish Employee Engagement Committees
Design Committee
Establish the Design Committee comprised of an equal number of represented employees and managers to serve 2-3 months. It would generally consist of no more than 4-6 employees depending on department size. Represented employees are recruited by Labor; managers recruited by department leadership. The Design Committee will:
- Identify environmental barriers and communication structures, including process for emailing employees.
- Conduct environmental assessment of worksite to establish baseline in collaboration with CalHR.
- Conduct employee interest survey to identify areas of interest for wellness initiatives and to recruit volunteers in collaboration with CalHR.
- Analyze environmental assessment and employee interest survey and prepare report for executive leadership.
Advisory Committee
Establish the Healthier U Advisory Committee that is equally comprised of represented employees and managers using responses from employee interest survey. Represented employees are recruited by Labor; managers recruited by department leadership. The Advisory Committee (AC) should reflect diversity across classifications. The AC will:
- Establish AC workgroups, when needed.
- Identify and address barriers.
- Organize wellness efforts into categories.
- Develop calendar of activities that supports visions and goals of Healthier U.
- Adopt outcome measures (e.g., participation goals).
Booster Program
Using responses from the wellness interest survey, identify boosters (wellness champions) to help promote health and wellness in their work environment. Each department determines the number of boosters needed and time allotment for their activities.
3. Lay Groundwork
- Identify wellness program elements already in place at the worksite.
- If your department is using the Healthier U logo, review branding policy and submit request for approval to CalHR (HealthierU@calhr.ca.gov).
- Wellness goals and outcomes are developed, reviewed, and adopted by the Advisory Committee.
- Review employee engagement best practices.
- Draft a calendar of current year wellness activities aligned with departmental goals and interest survey responses.
- Define program marketing and communication strategy, including calendaring events, highlighting employee success stories, and outlining approval process.
- Review wellness policies, templates, and guidelines.
4. Implementation Phase
- Incorporate marketing and communication strategy to promote wellness approach to all employees, including direct email from executive leadership.
- Present or promote wellness at all levels: executive, manager-supervisor meetings, division meetings, unit meetings, all staff meetings, etc.
- Launch Healthier U with a kick-off event.
5. Evaluation Phase
- In consultation with the Advisory Committee, assess campaigns and activities based on communication and overall outcome measures (e.g., participation), document lessons learned, and revise strategy or approach, if needed.
- Communicate successes and challenges to executive leadership and employees.
