Karen L. Andalman

Working with employees and their spouses in an employer-sponsored tobacco cessation program is an eye-opener for wellness coach. The most reoccurring theme is the embarrassment expressed by participants who are still smoking cigarettes.

To create a culture of wellness in the workplace, it is mandatory for senior management employees to take the lead. It is very difficult to get employees to "buy into" a wellness program if senior management isn't also participating.

Wellness coaching is the solution for cost savings, risk reduction, affects long-term gains and create a resource for employers. With wellness coaching, program employers have an opportunity to touch a large section of the employee population.

Measuring the Return on Investment has been an extremely controversial topic among wellness professionals for quite some time. Studies suggest that worksite wellness programs do influence healthy behaviors and improve risks.