We’re off and running, well, walking.
Our first wellness committee program – a lunch hour walking group – got off to a slow pace. We were quite surprised by the lack of turnout by employees. About a week before the walk, our wellness committee sent out an invitation to people to stroll around the neighbourhood.
Estimates on turnout range from one person to two people. That one person did the count. We suspect one other person went for a walk, but not as part of the group.
What was surprising is employees indicated in an earlier survey they were interested in a walking group. There were some unforeseeable factors at play. For instance, the temperature dropped from its average 15 degrees down to minus 4 degrees that day – disheartening spring weather to say the least. But this is Winnipeg. That’s not a temperature that changes what we’re doing around here.
A quick poll asking why people didn’t come out for the walk revealed the biggest contribution to the poor turnout.
“I forgot all about it.”
What’s the lesson?
Communicate.
Get them to commit, remind them, and remind them again. This is, after all, a significant change in their routine. Employees are busy people. Help them to keep them on track and get the most out of your wellness initiatives.
