Manage Worksite Wellness Program information electronically.
• Storing Worksite Wellness Program outcomes information electronically is the best way to manage that information.
• An electronic system will enable you to review and analyze the information more efficiently.
• Scan old surveys and other Worksite Wellness Program information that exist only on paper into .pdf format for permanent storage.

Find the Worksite Wellness Program system that works best for you.
• Some workers are more comfortable with spreadsheet applications; others prefer to work with database applications.
• You will be more likely to use a Worksite Wellness Program that you are familiar and/or comfortable with.
• Standardize information collection and organization. Keep information columns/fields in the same order for all Worksite Wellness Programs.

Keep the Worksite Wellness Program as simple as possible.
• You do not have to be a Wellness Programming wizard or use complicated data entry interfaces in order to manage Worksite Wellness Program outcomes information.
• A simple spreadsheet is an excellent way to keep your information organized.

Store all Worksite Wellness Program data numerically.
• Using numbers (instead of words) will make the information much easier to enter and analyze. For example: use “1” for yes; “0” for no OR “1” for male; “2” for female.
• Number survey responses that contain strings of words. For example: instead of entering the responses: “patient education videos”, “news,” or “no TV,” number the responses so you only have to enter “1,” “2,” or “3.”

Label all Worksite Wellness Program data clearly.
• Make sure all the data columns, rows, or fields are labeled. The information is worthless if you don’t know what information is in which column.
• The spreadsheet/database should include an explanation for column, row, field, and data abbreviations and a key for numbered responses.

Use consistent Worksite Wellness Program data units.
• Make sure all information entered into a given column is expressed with the same unit of measure. For example, enter all heights as total inches, not as a combination of feet and inches.
Putting your data in order by using a simple system that works for you will enable you to track participant accomplishments. Keeping your information organized also makes it easier to communicate Worksite Wellness Program impact to leadership and make Worksite Wellness Program improvements as needed.

Worksite Wellness Program data is information that is collected about your Worksite Wellness Program. All Worksite Wellness Programs should include data as an integral part of the Worksite Wellness Program plan.

Why should you care about Worksite Wellness Program data?

Data tells the Wellness story. Data is the tangible evidence of a Wellness Program’s impact.

Building data into Worksite Wellness Programs

Why bother with Worksite Wellness Program Data?

You need Worksite Wellness Program data to:
• Evaluate whether or not your Worksite Wellness Program is working.
• Answer the ‘so what?’ about the need for a Worksite Wellness Program.
• Offer information to Upper Management about the impact of the Worksite Wellness Program.
• Write a budget justification so you can secure Worksite Wellness Program resources.
• Use Worksite Wellness Program resources efficiently and market your Worksite Wellness Program more effectively.

Where to begin collecting Worksite Wellness Program data:

• MAKE A PLAN to collect the data: decide what, when, and how information will be collected.
• Determine what information is ALREADY BEING COLLECTED.
o For example: use dairy sales information in the dining center to measure the impact of a milk marketing/dairy month campaign.
• Begin collecting JUST A FEW small pieces of information. Be creative!
o For example: BMI, APFT scores (before & after), tobacco quit rates

IT’S NEVER TO LATE TO START collecting Worksite Wellness Program data.

Innovative Worksite Wellness Program data strategies

• Use local college/graduate students to help collect, input, and analyze Worksite Wellness Program information.
• If your employer has an internship program, get to know the Internship Director. Take advantage of intern resources – including having the Director and/or interns implement the data collection plan for your Worksite Wellness Program.
• Use information to let senior management know about the Worksite Wellness Programs affect on the staff members.

Present this information at their monthly/quarterly meetings.
• Use creative follow-up strategies to get information. Phone calls can be effective, but also consider email, mailed surveys with return postage provided, and going to the units in person to collect the information.
• Make data collection ‘fun’ for Worksite Wellness Program participants.
o For example: use a team approach – the team with the ‘best’ overall results gets some sort of award or recognition.
• ALWAYS relate the impact of your Worksite Wellness Program to readiness.