Obesity/Weight Management Employer Survey and Interview Project

E Employers need information to demonstrate notonly what they can do but also how they and theirworkforce will benefit, however, that informationneeds to be appropriately targeted to multipleaudiences within the workplace, including seniormanagement, wellness coordinators, health andsafety personnel, and employees. Measurement isimportant with a range of approaches that matchthe action and development of the program.E Community alliances and partnerships withcommunity organizations are not widely included inprogramming by the employer, yet would be seenas a valuable resource. Support in establishing theserelationships and ready access to information aboutcommunity programs would be essential.E Employers learn from what other employers aredoing or have done. Peer groups and other waysto share experiences are a basic necessity. Bestpractices and evidence from other employerexperience needs to be demonstrated while alsobeing customizable for another employer.E Given that employer resources are limited, theyneed employee engagement programs, educationalactivities, and assessment strategies that are easy toimplement, concise and easy-to-use.E Examples of what employers have done that workswould be beneficial. These examples might varyby employer size, industry, and location as well asprogram or strategy.E Communication samples need to reflect employeediversity, health literacy, mediums for distribution,and ability to encourage employees to take action.Communication modes may be through meetings,web, newsletters, worksite announcements orposters, or social media so the range of samplesand application with information on what is mosteffective with which audiences would be useful. Themost preferred communication channels appear tobe more personal, hands-on interactions, especiallyamong small employers, prompting some thinkingabout how best to engage this group such asidentifying and accessing localized resources.30National Business Coalition on Health