While it’s most important for an employer to provide a safe and healthy workplace, it’s also important to encourage healthy lifestyles among their employees. Healthy eating programs can be a great first step. They can bring lots of people together to learn how to improve their health both at work and at home. As always, these programs should be part of a complete workplace health program and should not take resources or attention away from workplace hazards that may be present.
Before you start:
No matter how much you plan or make people aware, healthy eating programs should be voluntary – not everyone will join or be interested. Survey employees to help you to decide what types and levels of programs to offer.
When planning a health program, be sure you know the interests of your audience. In this case:
* Know why people are interested in a healthy eating program. Are participants looking for general nutrition information, or more specific programs such as heart health?
* Be sure to consider what types of programs have been offered in the past. Which programs worked? Which did not?
* Know exactly who your target audience is.
* Plan when will the program be offered (seasonal, or all year)
* State who people can go to if they have individual questions or want more help