Worksite Wellness Ideas: Brown Bag Health Presentations & Discussions

Brown bag presentations are a great way to establish awareness about selected health topics. Community health professionals will often offer presentations of a half hour or less at no charge. Use employee interest surveys to follow up on employee interests that are expressed. The definition of health is broad, so brown bag presentations may also cover a wide variety of topics. Topics may include physical, mental, emotional, women’s health, men’s health, financial health, etc. Considerations for brown bag presentations:

• Brown bag sessions are useful for awareness building. This seed planting process can help employees become more proactive about healthy choices.
• Do not schedule the program for the full hour – usually 40 minutes or so works best. This will provide folks with an opportunity to come and go, grab a quick bite, ask questions, etc.
• If the subject matter is of a sensitive nature, such as domestic violence, substance abuse, etc., people may be reluctant to attend for fear of being associated publicly with the concern. They will, however, show up if the focus is on supporting family members, coworkers, etc.
• Be sure that employees hear important information and will leave with tools and resources to carry out the message. Work with the presenter on information strategies that work for your employee group.
• Promotional materials must publicize the program with a name that speaks to the brown bag focus. Include all other pertinent information such as where, who, when, etc.
• Some topics that can’t be covered in one session should be available in a short series. It will work best to schedule one session each week instead of several sessions in one week. By way of example, you might offer a 3-week series on healthy eating instead of trying to cram all the information into one session.
• A catchy title can attract people to the event. An example of this would be calling lunchtime presentations “Noonlighting”
• If possible, offer a no cost healthy snack for employees who attend.
• To maintain momentum, try setting up a regular monthly time and day for lunchtime courses.
• If employees work in shift or are in work groups in different geographical locations, establish a plan that offers equal attendance opportunity to all.

Resources:

1. 1. Please see the idea list at the end of this guide which offers a variety of resource topics of interest to employees.
2. 2. Every community has many individuals, experts, or specialists from voluntary groups (heart, cancer, lung associations), special interest groups (Y’s, Red Cross, Weight Watcher’s, Safety Council, Alcoholics Anonymous), or the local health department as possibilities to present workplace sessions free or at a low cost. Many of these contacts might also offer inexpensive materials.
3. 3. Topic videos can be used for a brown bag session.