A Guide to Developing and Implementing the Workplace Health System in Medium and Large Businesses

Chapter IV : Building A Workplace Health System (Continued)

Stage 6

Objective: Identification, development, implementation and evaluation of program activities based on the Corporate Health Plan.

Stage 6: Program Action Plan

A Program Action Plan converts the long-range plan into actual activities

The Program Action Plan, with an approved budget, will determine program activities for the current year. A new action plan is prepared each year that is consistent with the general direction set out in the Corporate Health Plan.

Development, Implementation and Evaluation

Stage 6 addresses the development, implementation and evaluation of health activities. The activities are to be based on the needs identified in the Workplace Health Profile. The words "health activity" mean any part of the overall program that is directed towards enabling employees to regain control over and to improve their health.

A Program Action Plan must be developed for each activity. For example, if in the first year the organization plans to implement a fitness program and a weight loss competition, two separate action plans will be required.

There are 6 steps to developing a Program Action Plan.

• Step 1
  Identify Program Objectives
• Step 3
  Create Resource List
• Step 2
  Brainstorm On Ways toAchieve Objectives
• Step 4
  Develop Progam
• Step 5
  Launch Program
• Step 6
  Evaluate Program

"Appendix B" contains worksheets you will find helpful as you proceed through the various program development steps.

Step 1 Identify Program Objectives

In developing the health programs for the organization, the Workplace Health Committee should keep in mind the objectives they wish to achieve as a result of the health programs. The objectives will likely fall into four categories: 1. Information; 2. Skill; 3. Attitude; 4. Environment and Policy. Identifying objectives will help the Committee determine how best to develop, implement and communicate the health programs.

1. Information Objectives

These objectives relate to the information you want employees to gain as a result of participating in a program (e.g., the benefits of exercise programs, relaxation techniques, good nutrition, professional counselling, etc.).

2. Skill Objectives

These describe what you want employees to be able to do as a result of participating in a program (e.g., cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a proper warmup and cool down before and after exercise, the Heimlich manoeuver, etc.).