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Resource Guide

The resources in this section are aimed at helping your worksite take steps to create a healthier workforce.
Section 1: Worksite Health Promotion

Health Events vs. Policy/Enviromental Changes: Although sponsoring worksite health events is a great start, policy and environmental changes are key to sustained support of employee health. The chart below describes the characterists of each.

Characteristics of Events Characteristics of Policy/Environmental Change
One time Ongoing
Unique: Usually don't result in behavior change Repeated: Promote behavior change over time
Individual Policy level
Not part of an ongoing plan Part of an ongoing plan
Short in duration Long term
Non sustaining Sustaining

Health Risk Appraisals (HRA): Many health insurance companies offer free access to an HRA for their subscribers. If your employees do not have access to a free HRA, you can direct them to the free HRA provided on the Michigan Steps Up website. Employers can also receive a unique ID that allows them to request a worksite-specific, aggregate report on the health status of their employees. Click here to get more information on the free HRA available on the Michigan Steps Up website.

Worksite Support of New Mothers: Studies show that employers who provide a suitable place for their breastfeeding employees will be rewarded with reduced absenteeism (because breastfed babies are sick less often), reduced turnover, and the gratitude and loyalty of their employed mothers who wish to continue giving their babies optimal nutrition. The following links/publications provide more information.

  • Sample Policy Supporting New Mothers at the Worksite: Click here for a sample policy.

  • Lactation Support Program: Click here to access this toolkit, which provides an example of how to create a comprehensive lactation support program at the worksite.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): US Department of Health and Human Services and Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration provide an overview of EAPs and provide additional related links. Click here to access EAP information.

Policy for Paid Time Off to Attend Worksite-sponsored Health Promotion Programs/Classes During Work Hours. Click here for an example of a worksite physical activity policy.

Worksite Wellness Committees: A worksite wellness committee establishes continuity, motivation, and broad ownership of employee wellness initiatives. The following guides provide sections that address worksite wellness committees.

  • Healthy Workforce 2010; Section IV: Planning a Worksite Health Promotion Program. Developed by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Click here to access this sourcebook.

  • Comprehensive Wellness Program. Developed by University of Michigan Worker Health. To access the guide, click here.

Employee Survey to Determine Health and Wellness Needs: Ask employees what they're interested in, and what needs they have. People are more willing to participate and support wellness efforts if they are involved in the decision-making process. Click the links below to for a sample employee survey. Either can be downloaded and saved. The Word version can be edited to meet your worksite needs.

Mission Statement Includes Support of Employee Health: When writing a mission statement, consider making its tone encouraging and supportive of employees making healthy lifestyle choices. Click here for mission statement examples.

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Section 2: TobaccoPolicies Regulating Smoking: You can download these templates to assist you in developing a no smoking policy.

Promotion of Smoking Cessation/Tobacco-free Lifestyles to Employees: The Tobacco Section of the Michigan Department of Community Health has multiple tobacco cessation resources available for individuals and organizations. Click here to access these resources.

Additional documents that may be helpful when promoting smoking cessation/tobacco-free lifestyles to employees include the following. (Click the link to view, download or print these documents.)


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Section 3: Physical Activity Policy Supporting Physical Activity: For an example of a physical activity policy, click here.

Work-sponsored Physical Activity Opportunities: The following ideas can be found in Michigan’s Healthy Workplaces Resource Guide  

  • Map out on-site trails or nearby walking routes:
  • Provide bicycle racks in safe, convenient, and accessible locations.
  • Post motivational signs at elevators and escalators to encourage stair usage.
  • Provide shower and/or changing facilities on-site.
  • Offer on-site fitness opportunities, such as group classes or personal training.

  • Encourage use of programs like Michigan Steps Up, Active for Life, START! , or other programs as appropriate and of interest to employers and employees.

  • Support physical activity breaks during the workday. Click here for an example of a web-based physical activity program that reminds employees to get up and move.
  • Offer flexible work hours to allow for physical activity during the day. Click here for more information.
  • Host walk-and-talk meetings. Go for a walk in the hallway or on a short outside route to cover the content of a sit-down meeting. Supervisors will support this as a standard work practice:
  • Provide incentives for participation in physical activity and/or weight management/maintenance activities.

Participation in Community-sponsored events: Many communities sponsor walks, runs, dance marathons, etc. to raise money and awareness for charitable causes. You can learn more about the events below by clicking on the links, or choose your favorite cause and learn more about ways you and your worksite can help the organization by participating in physical activity.

Non-motorized Commutes: Michigan Department of Transportation's website has information on non-motorized transportation. Click here to access their website.

SmartCommute also provides employer-specific information for non-motorized commutes. Click here for more information.

Worksite Support of Community Physical Activity Opportunities: The following ideas were provided by by Healthy Buncombe, Asheville, North Carolina (http://www.healthybuncombe.org):

  • Support recreation leagues, community and state park programs with employees.

  • Explore discounted memberships at local health clubs, recreation centers, or YMCA's.

  • Provide articles in employee newsletters promoting physical activity and current opportunities to participate. Post notices to upcoming events in the community, school or faith-based organizations on bulletin boards or email lists.

  • Use multiple channels for interventions, such as community recreation/leisure facilities, on site worksite opportunities, private wellness facilities and state and local parks.

  • Conduct healthy eating and physical activity special events such as a company walk and invite the community to join.

  • Contact your local parks and recreation department or local health department to locate a listing of community events that involve physical activity.

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Section 4: NutritionWorksite Promotion of Healthy Eating to Employees: The following ideas were provided by Healthy South Dakota (http://www.healthysd.gov/Workplace/Tools.aspx#Nutrition)
  • Offer appealing, low-cost, healthy food options, such as fruits and vegetables, juices, and low-fat dairy products in vending machines, snack bars, break rooms, and/or cafeterias. These can include fresh, canned, and dried fruits, 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice, plain or mixed nuts, low-fat bagged snacks, nonfat yogurt and milk.

  • Post motivational signs about nutrition and healthful eating in the cafeteria and break rooms.

  • Just as employees often organize to purchase coffee or spring water as a group, encourage employees to organize for group purchases of fruits, vegetables, and other healthy snacks.

  • Distribute nutrition education materials and post messages on worksite bulletin boards and newsletters.

  • Establish an on-site or neighborhood farmers' market at the workplace or among several workplaces in collaboration with a group of employers.

  • Place nutrition action stickers on phone handsets or other prominent locations.

  • Offer coupons for fruits and vegetables as reward for work well done.

  • Distribute educational materials, such as newsletters, recipes, brochures, and posters, at workplaces to show the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables and how to prepare healthy meals throughout the day.

  • Create a worksite culture that minimizes consumption of low-nutrition foods and beverages, such as cakes at parties, candy bowls, and sweets as rewards.

  • Make available reliable resources on general nutrition related to portion size (for example, portion size placemat or plate, food models). Click here to see slides of changes in portion sizes over the years.

  • Healthy Food and Beverage Options at Meetings or Conferences: The Cooperative Extension Service, University of Hawaii at Monoa has developed a Healthy Meetings Checklist that provides tips on how to plan healthy menus for meetings and events. For a copy of the Checklist, click here.

    The CDC has also developed guidelines for choosing healthful food at meetings, conferences, and other work related events. For a copy of the guidelines, click here.


  • Reduced Sugar or Sugar-free Snacks: The US Food and Drug Administration defines a product as having "reduced sugar" when it has at least 25 percent less sugar than the reference food. Sugar-free products have less than 0.6 g of sugar per serving. For more definitions on food labels, click here.

Cafeteria Policies that Support Healthy Eating: The American Cancer Society has a 5-A-Day Worksite Implementation Guide that addresses policies related to food served at work. Click here to access this guide.

The Washington State Department of Health has a policy manual titled Nutrition and Physical Activity: A Policy Resource Guide which addresses policies for a variety of venues, including businesses. Click here to access the guide.

Worksite Wellness for Tompkins County has a template for a catering policy. Click here to access the template.



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Presented by the Michigan Healthy Communities Collaborative