When employers launch a robust employee health program, toooften corporate wellness becomes another job forsomeone who already has a full range of responsibilities.

That’s why it’s crucial to have someone “on the ground” who ownshealth and wellness and can in turn play an active role in buildinga successful health management program.

Read: 8 ways to help employees find time forfitness

We see the benefits of providing an on-site wellness presence.Our client sites that have a dedicated on-site program managerenjoy a 33 percent higher participation rate compared to similarprograms that don’t include an on-site manager.

Read: 7 corporate fitness trends towatch

The benefits of having an on-site wellness program managerinclude the following:

• Screening participation: 58 percent increase

• Health advising participation: 43 percent increase

• Coaching enrollment participation: 21 percent increase

In addition to on-site program managers, here are three ways ourclients inspire employee wellness with on-site solutions—and howthis option might make sense for your organization.

1. Drive engagement with health advocates

To meet the needs of more than 12,000 employees in 18 locationsat a leading automotive parts manufacturer, my employerHealthFitness provides six on-site health promotion coordinatorsand eight full-time benefits advocates to help employees and theirfamilies navigate the health care system.

On-site advocates serve as corporate wellness navigators andanswer questions employees may have related to their benefits—fromhow the medical plan works to how to earn incentives.

Advocates work as a touch point for employees—whether they meetbefore, after or during shift breaks.

Results:

Support from on-site benefit advocates has paid off in providingreal results for both employees and the company.

• 48,000 benefit advocacy contacts driving referrals to benefitproviders

• 6.2 percent year-over-year reduction in health risks

• 93 percent completion rate of health assessments and screeningfor employees and spouses

2. Activate boots on the ground

To build rapport with the manufacturing population at a leadingproducer of agricultural products, our on-site staff regularlymeets employees where they are—donning steel-toe boots andprotective gear to join them in the field, safety meetings, orbreak rooms.

Our on-site presence lets them know we are here for them and arecommitted to their health.

For example, to make it easier for employees to participate inwellness activities such as screenings, on-site staff are scheduledto work early hours (from 4 a.m. to 12 p.m.), giving workers theopportunity to participate in blood pressure screenings withoutleaving the worksite.

The mindset of ‘we bring the program to you’ is essential toprogram participation success.

Results:

• 11.3 percent decrease in average number of high health risksfrom 22.47 to 2.19 among 2,400 participants.

• 97 percent of participants were “satisfied” or “very satisfied”with their on-site biometric screening event.

• 63 percent of employees participated in one or more lifestylemanagement programs in 2013.

3. Build a network of on-site wellnesschampions

Our on-site program manager leverages a wellness championnetwork of more than 30 employees to meet the needs of 12,000employees at an agricultural and construction equipment leader.

Wellness champions build employee awareness and increaseengagement in corporate wellness programs.

Employees at 20 sites throughout the country turn to thewellness champions as a resource, to share ideas and ask questions.Wellness champions also represent employees during ongoingconference calls and help ensure health and wellness continues tobe part of their daily routines.

Results:

• 85.3 percent of the employee population has participated in atleast one health management activity.

• 43.1 percent participation in a walking program that challengesemployees to walk 10,000 steps a day.

• 21.1 percent participation in health coaching so employees candevelop an individual, confidential plan to help them reach theirhealth goals.