Determining a budget for creating a Corporate Health Promotion Plan

Starting a Corporate Health Promotion Plan need not be expensive, but will require the commitment of some financial resources. If possible, include the Corporate Health Promotion Plan in your organization’s annual business plan and budget as you do for other efforts important to your organization’s success.

How much to budget for the Corporate Wellness Program?

There is no one-size-fits-all formula for creating a Corporate Health Promotion Plan that results in enhanced employee health. Organizations differ in how much money they need and how much they can make available for the Corporate Wellness Program. Consider the following common expenses in developing an adequate Corporate Health Promotion Plan budget:

• Corporate Health Promotion Plan staffing costs (either internal salaries or consultant fees)
• Corporate Health Promotion Plan data collection costs (including health risk assessment costs, if relevant)
• Corporate Health Promotion Plan rewards for healthy behaviors (such as discounts on premiums for non-smokers)
• Costs of Corporate Health Promotion Plan Strategies to be implemented (such as costs of covering tobacco quit medications or costs of subsidizing healthy foods in the cafeteria or vending machines)
• Corporate Health Promotion Plan administrative and communications expenses

In times of tight finances, be prepared to justify your requested Corporate Health Promotion Plan budget. Arm yourself with data on potential short- and long-term outcomes of the proposed Corporate Health Promotion Plan Strategies. Itemize the Corporate Health Promotion Plan expenses of past programs and share projected expenses for programs planned for the upcoming year.

Sustaining Corporate Health Promotion Plan Financing

A dedicated Corporate Health Promotion Plan line item in your organization’s budget makes it more likely to be regarded as a need, rather than as a “nice-to-have” amenity that could be cut when funds run low.

One of the best Strategies for ensuring continued financial support for the Corporate Health Promotion Plan is frequent communication to upper management, including:

• How many workers have you reached through the Corporate Wellness Program? Has morale increased? Have health risks decreased, e.g., fewer workers using tobacco, more workers active?
• How well are you managing the Corporate Health Promotion Plan resources you’ve been given? Where and how has your budget been spent? Keep track of the staff time required for each program and be able to present the numbers at any time.
• Anecdotal Corporate Health Promotion Plan success stories from workers. Don’t underestimate the power of a good story to put a human face on your success.

Additional sources of Corporate Health Promotion Plan Financing

If required, have the individuals responsible for creating a Corporate Health Promotion Plan look for ways to supplement available internal funds. Are there grants or other funding available that can help support your Corporate Health Promotion Plan ? What community Corporate Health Promotion Plan resources could you use to meet some of your needs?