Worksite wellness is good for business — and good for employees. We’ve talked about workplace wellness, health management, health and wellness… and if you’ve been paying attention, you probably have figured out what the employee wellness statistics are saying. A good worksite wellness system more than pays for itself in productivity, lower health insurance premiums, and worksite satisfaction.

Now we’ve found out about a new, free tool that you can add to your worksite wellness toolbox — a free worksite wellness report on small business wellness from WELCOA, the Wellness Councils of America. Worksite wellness isn’t just for the big boys, and this worksite wellness report from WELCOA president Dr. David Hunnicutt proves it. In the report, entitled “The Art of Implementing a Great Worksite Wellness Program in a Small Business Setting,” Hunnicutt points out ten critical worksite wellness steps that your small business can take to encourage wellness at your workplace.

The report’s subtitle, “Introducing WELCOA’s Small Business Workplace Wellness Initiative,” illustrates WELCOA’s awareness of the important of small business to the American economy and to wellness for American employees. A few steps from the report that we heartily endorse:

• designate a company wellness leader
• conduct an employee wellness survey to assess worksite health interest
• make on-site health screenings available at the worksite
• administer an annual physical activity campaign to get employees active, and
• promote community health efforts.

Take a look at this worksite wellness report and see what you can do for your worksite — and for your company.

Maintaining employee wellness during cold and flu season can be a challenge for any company. The average adult can get up to four colds in one year, and hundreds of thousands are hospitalized every year for flu complications. From December to March, there are more employees out of the office due to illness, and others who barely made it to the office and can hardly think over their constant coughing and sneezing.

Prevention is the Key to Employee Wellness

Prevention is the key to maintaining good health in the workplace and increasing overall employee wellness. Fighting infection after the cold and flu epidemics hit is a losing battle and can best be combated with early action, such as implementing a corporate wellness program in the office for good health year-round.

Keeping the Office Germ-free During Cold and Flu Season

The typical office is the perfect breeding grounds for influenza or the cold virus. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases says that there are higher chances for the spread of infection during winter because people spend more time indoors. In an office, this risk is increased by cubicles, bringing many people into a close space. On-site health screenings conducted regularly as part of an overall health management program will increase the chances of employee wellness year round, and especially during cold and flu season.

Education Can Increase Employee Wellness During Cold and Flu Season

Educating employees about various ways to stay healthy during cold and flu season may help prevent the spread of any sickness to the entire office. Hand washing is a crucial component in maximizing employee wellness, as bacteria collects on keyboards, mouses, around the water cooler and next to the community coffee pot. As employees shake hands, infection may be passed, multiplying the chance of getting a cold or coming down with the flu. Hand washing and anti-bacterial cleaners for surfaces can help reduce the spread of sickness.

Employee wellness is possible during cold and flu season. With Employee Wellness USA, your office can reach one step closer to immunity from sickness during cold and flu season.

As we move into 2008, we would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy new year. Be sure to take good care of yourself and your employees this year. Look into starting a corporate wellness program, and think about providing wellness testing to your employees. Show them how much you care about their health. If your workforce is happy and healthy in 2008, your company is likely to be as well.