Not all corporate wellness programs are created equal. Here’s what you can do to make yours a success in 30 days. Read Part One and Part Two.

WEEK FOUR

Develop a Wellness Culture, Not Just a Wellness Program
By week four the tactics described above should have provided a surge in participation. Now is the time to take a step back and focus again on the bigger picture, to make sure that your wellness program is part of a larger company culture of engagement and support.

According to research by Gallup, a successful wellness culture doesn’t just focus on physical activity and weight loss, but has multiple touch points, including nutrition, mental health, community, and purpose, and is consistent with business goals and company ethos. A solid wellness culture requires a holistic, multi-faceted approach that speaks to all these areas not just a few. Take stock of the progress of your programs during week four, and determine if they are consistent with your larger company-culture. If not, you may have more work ahead of you.

Likewise, it’s important to avoid mixed messages. If your corporate culture is cut-throat and overly stressful, or if you expect your workers to work in hazardous conditions, an emphasis on health and wellness will lack credibility and will likely fall on deaf ears. A Seattle Times inquiry actually found that launching a wellness program in a pressure-cooker environment will actually do more harm than good. When there is too much pressure to participate, a wellness program may actually increase stress, and add to an already toxic situation.

Your corporate wellness program will only be perceived as effective and legitimate part if its part of an overall culture of engagement, that includes strong communication and support. Take week four to see if the progress you’ve made is sufficient, or if an inconsistent company culture might be to blame.

Conclusion
Wellness programs can have a tremendous upside for your company, but only if your employees take advantage of them. To ensure widespread adoption, programs must be thoughtfully planned, continuously championed, and part of an overarching culture of support and engagement.

Jeff Murphy is a marketing, communications and design professional, as well as a guitarist, songwriter and Fender enthusiast.

This article originally appeared on the snacknation.com blog.