The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has released a new toolkit to help small and medium-sized employers plan, implement, and evaluate workplace health promotion programs. Titled, “Workplace Wellness Programs: Promoting Better Health While Controlling Costs,” the toolkit provides practical suggestions for workplace wellness activities, and highlights ways to engage the community.

“The Chamber has been a leader in advocating for workplace wellness programs,” said Randy Johnson, senior vice president of Labor, Immigration, and Employee Benefits for the Chamber. “Effective wellness programs can include financial savings as well as less tangible results, such as improved employee morale. While policymakers debate various forms of health care legislation, there are many things employers and others can do to address rising health care costs while concurrently improving employee health. Promotion of wellness programs is certainly one of those, and the Chamber’s toolkit will help achieve this goal.”

The toolkit features video tutorials from cutting edge employers and an expert in the health promotion field, Anne Marie Ludovici-Connolly, author of Winning Health Promotion Strategies. In her video, Anne Marie discusses different avenues that employers can take to set up a wellness program, either via traditional programming or a comprehensive approach.

“There are some very simple, but effective initiatives that small businesses can pursue to foster a sense of community in the workplace, such as setting up after-hour clubs and creating contests between groups, or serving healthy foods on the premises,” continued Johnson. “Wellness programs are a win-win for both the employer and employee.”

The Toolkit is available at: www.uschambersmallbusinessnation.com/toolkits/workplace-wellness-