Gaining upper management support is critical to the success of a exercise program.

Regardless of whether the changes you would like to make involve the work environment, overall policies or specific programs, successfully beginning your ideas depends on executive management support.

Support from upper-level management is vital for three reasons –

• You will need their agreement to involve staff in a worksite initiative.

• When upper management compensates attention to and supports an program, staff also see the program as worthwhile.

• Management has the power to give work time and money to support the wellness program.

It’s crucial to keep senior level management involved throughout a exercise initiative, but at three points you will need support for –

• An overall concept, including a go-ahead to assess what workforce want to do within the limitations of your workplace environment.

• An in depth plan (based on the assessment above) coupled with resources to carry out the plan.

• Analyzing the program to improve it along the way or to advocate for continuing or expanding the program.

Approaching Management

Before approaching upper-level management to gain initial support for promoting physical activity during the workday, do your homework.

• Put together a business case clearly outlining how the business will benefit by promoting exercise during the workday.

• List the individual, social and corporate benefits of exercise and the benefits of being active during the workday.

• Present some general ideas about what the wellness program might include.

Expect questions like the following from upper management –

• Exactly how this help our corporation?

• How can we motivate employees to participate?

• Just how much will it cost to run this health promotion program or make this change?

• How are we going to know a year from now if this was a good use of time and resources?

Ask managers about the range of activities they would support. Frequently managers have ideas of their own they would like to see acted on to enhance the workplace.

Do not forget to include middle managers when gaining support for your wellness program. They can be very helpful when you need volunteers to lead teams in corporate exercise challenges.