Giving employees the skinny on your wellness program

From dining dos and don’ts to transcontinental treks, here’s how to stir excitement while sparing tender feelings

Management has a problem—and a solution: Many workers have grown flabby, and your company’s launching a program to help them slim down.

Now you have a problem: How do you promote that program without trampling your colleagues’ feelings?

Communicators at a Finnish energy company faced just that problem with a companywide weight-loss competition modeled after “The Biggest Loser.”

Some at the utility were skittish about suggesting their co-workers ought to shed a few, says Amy Reynolds, internal communicator. “So I went to everyone and put a positive spin on it: ‘If you’re interested, we’re looking for more people to sign up.’”

Not only is what you communicate important, but how you do it. E-mails, flyers, articles, and videos encourage participation initially, but building on that buzz is essential.

Keep the momentum going