Steps > Planning Workplace Physical Activity > Step 2: Forming an Employee Committee

Although support from the top is critical to a successful initiative, support from other employees is also important.

Once you get the go-ahead from management, identify others who are interested in the project and form a committee to help determine the next steps.

Depending on the size of your workplace and the amount of staff time management is willing to contribute, this committee may be advisory or may plan and carry out the initiative.

The committee could include employees from human resources, occupational health and safety and finance. It’s also a good idea to involve staff from other areas who have an interest in promoting physical activity.

Terms of reference will define the boundaries of the project. For example, it’s important for the committee to have clearly defined and understood tasks. Possible tasks include the following:

• Assessing your workplace environment

• Carrying out an employee interest survey.

• Developing a mission statement, goals and objectives.

• Writing a physical activity or wellness policy declaring the organization’s commitment to physical activity.

• Brainstorming program ideas.

• Promoting, communicating and marketing the initiative.

• Coordinating specific activities.

• Deciding how the initiative will be evaluated.

• Continually assessing what is or isn’t working and adjusting the plan.

Find out More

• Establishing a Healthy Workplace Committee (BCRPA): How to recruit committee members and sample terms of reference. See page 20 of the Active Communities Workplace Workbook. 
   
  
• Who Do You Need?: Information from the British Heart Foundation.  Learn more about different roles employees need to fill to help ensure the success of your physical activity program.