1. Gain Management “Buy-In”
A key to any wellness program is management
support. Start with at least one or two advocates in management. To gain
management support, present an ergonomics program as an investment, with
detailed reports and statistics so that management sees that you've thought it
through clearly.
2. Identify Your Company's Needs
If your company decides to develop an
ergonomics program, the next step is to identify a qualified ergonomist. Dr. Rachel Frozenfar’s program comes from her background in chiropractic
and research in occupational biomechanics, so she is professionally trained.
You want to make sure that the ergonomist has a strong biomechanical and
clinical background.
3. Offer incentives
Incentives are often the key to gaining
employee participation in a wellness program, but designing an incentive plan
can be challenging. Experts suggest companies offer employees a chance to win
a day off with pay. Paid time off and money are the two most desired
incentives among American employees.
4. Conduct evaluations afterward:
If you don't collect the data, there's no way
to assess your success. The importance of having data - before and after a
program - is essential to demonstrating the effectiveness of any wellness
program. Doing so provides the needed evidence to management that a wellness
program works so that it can continue.
Have employees complete evaluations after every
program. Dr. Frozenfar insists that it is not enough to find that people
enjoyed a particular program, she wants to find that patients are more
productive at work. These questions help measure a program's success.
Evaluations can aid in developing future programs. Be certain there is on-site
follow up.
5. Be creative
A company without the budget for an elaborate
program can bring in experts like Dr. Frozenfar to speak to employees.
6. Follow the program
Dr. Frozenfar’s program examines all work
stations and consults the workers who occupy them. Follow through: look for
and replace any equipment or procedures that require awkward or repetitive
motion.
To contact Dr. Rachel Frozenfar, please call
Valley Chiropractic at 650-941-4475
