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22 | forwardHR • S p r i n g 2 0 15 { continued from page 21 } 5 Ways to Be a Better Wellness Evaluator eresa Islo is the program manager for the University of Wisconsin Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness Management, a 60-credit online degree completion program for working adults. eresa first worked in the field of employee benefits and later focused exclusively on worksite wellness. She sees corporate health promotion as a win- win approach for both employers and employees, resulting in better employee quality of life and greater productivity for businesses. JACKSON LEWIS P.C. 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue • Suite 560 Milwaukee, WI 53202 • (414) 944-8900 All We Do Is Work ® With 800 attorneys practicing in major locations throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Jackson Lewis provides creative and strategic solutions to employers in every aspect of workplace law. Recognized as a "Powerhouse" in both Complex and Routine Employment Litigation in the BTI Litigation Outlook 2015 and ranked in the First Tier nationally in Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment in U.S. News – Best Lawyers ® "Best Law Firms," our firm has one of the most active employment litigation practices in the world. To learn more about our services, please visit us online at www.jacksonlewis.com. plan administrators. At small organizations, data sources can be scarce. If you can't access medical claims, look instead for absenteeism data or distribute an employee interest survey. 5. Be realistic with your timeline. e timeline for an evaluation oen depends on the number and types of data sources involved. At the process level, data may be easier to obtain than at other levels. However, getting to the impact and outcome levels of evaluation will take time —sometimes months or years. But the effort is worth it. Creating documentation of your program's success will reap rewards that build over time. Take the next step Worksite wellness is increasingly considered a key component of a successful HR strategy, and that's how it should be approached — as a business- focused, goal-oriented strategy. Evaluation will guide your efforts, so consider the tips above, and do some research online if you're not sure where to start. Want to make a real difference in the success of your organization's wellness program? Complete your bachelor's degree online with University of Wisconsin Health and Wellness Management. You could become a knowledgeable and respected wellness leader in as little as two years. Find out more by visiting hwm. wisconsin.edu. ■

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