Wellness Program Tips for Hosting Business Functions

So you’re planning a business function! Try some of the following ideas to help participants get the most out of the event, while feeling good in the process. You’ll not only contribute to employee health, but also enhance your corporate image.

Tip 1: Provide Nutritious Food Choices

To ensure healthy foods are served at your functions ask your caterer to provide:

• lots of fresh water at all times;
• lower-fat whole grain breads and cereals (muffins, crackers, bagels etc.);
• lower-fat muffins, cheeses, crackers and yogurt;
• pure fruit juices, as well as the usual coffee and tea;
• 2%, 1%, or skim milk, for drinking as well as for coffee or tea;
• sandwiches made with little or no mayonnaise, butter or margarine;
• a variety of lower-fat sandwich fillings, including tuna, salmon, lean roast beef, turkey, chicken, ham, pastrami or lower-fat cheese;
• fresh fruits, fruit salad, lower-fat yogurt and cheeses, or angel food cake as one of the dessert choices.

Tip 2: 100% Smoke-Free

Here are a few suggestions for conducting your business in a smoke-free environment:

• inform all guests that workplaces and public places are smoke-free;
• direct participants outside to smoke;· if overnight accommodation is needed, request smoke-free rooms be available for guests who want it; 

Tip 3: Fit Active Living Into Your Event

Try these activities to help keep participants alert, after they’ve been sitting for lengthy periods of time:

• include light activity breaks with exercises or games, led to music;
• choose activities geared to active and less active participants (for example arranging a walk in the fresh air during the second half of the lunch hour);
• familiarize those not from the area with walking routes or gyms nearby;
• let participants know that the activities are strictly voluntary.

Tip 4: Treat Alcohol Seriously

Is there going to be alcohol at your business function? Consider this: an employer could be held liable if employees drink alcohol at a company-sponsored event and then hurt themselves or others. Here are some tips to ensure that your event is remembered for all the right reasons:

• have a policy that addresses the use of alcoholic beverages and make sure your employees are aware of it;
• let employees know that they are expected to act responsibly;
• control the flow of alcohol by having a bartender, a cash bar, or a limit on the number of drinks;
• serve food, such as cold cuts, veggies, cheese, light dips and breads, to prevent employees from drinking on an empty stomach;
• designate someone with authority to step in and handle situations that may arise related to the policy;
• arrange transportation in advance of the function and encourage all employees to use it if they drink any alcohol;
• stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the event ends.

Tip 5: Conduct an “Environmentally Friendly” Function

Conducting a function that is environmentally friendly, is not only good for the environment, it is also less expensive. Try these suggestions:

• use glass and flatware rather than disposable dishes;
• serve beverages in pitchers rather than individual bottles or cartons;
• use name tags that can be re-used;
• provide blue baskets for recycling paper, plastic, aluminum cans or glass bottles;
• use a bulletin board or re-usable board for announcements and directions.