Wellness programs are growing in popularity.  More employers promote good health behaviors and more insurance carriers offer wellness programs along with their health benefit packages, often at no extra cost.

Many employers start small with smoking cessation, walking programs, or simply posting information about health related topics. Other employers, including The Starr Group, have developed multi-faceted wellness programs. The Starr Group program includes fitness, health risk assessments, bio-metric screenings and education in addition to a company-wide wellness program vision statement.

The Wellness Council of America, WELCOA, recommends building a results-oriented workplace wellness program.  This allows employers to measure the results of their wellness activities and builds a cohesive program that will stand the test of time.

Key aspects of a successful program include:

• Garnering the support of senior level management
• Building a supportive environment
• Collecting and evaluating data
• Having a cohesive plan and identifying appropriate interventions

The Starr Group was the 2011 Corporate Wellness Award Winner at the BizTimes Fittest Exec Celebration. Starr Group executives Mary Starr and Maureen Arndt were finalists in their age categories for the Individual Fittest Exec competition. For the past two years, the Starr Group has earned WELCOA Well Workplace awards. Several members of The Starr Group Employee Benefits department are joining Starr Group management in earning WELCOA certifications.

For more information on carriers offering wellness programs or how to begin or enhance a wellness program for your company, contact your Starr Group representative.

For more information about WELCOA certifications and Well Workplace awards visit: http://WELCOA.org/wellworkplace