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“If word around the watercooler is that your worksite is the biggest barrier to the wellness of your employees — however untrue that may be — it's time to address that perception,” the Knoxville News Sentinel reports.

“When employees fall into one of two extremes, either feeling unable to engage in healthy habits due to job responsibilities or feeling artificially coerced into being healthy by disingenuous wellness efforts, a change in direction is necessary.”

Here are three strategies for giving wellness a chance in your workplace:

1. Use wellness champions: “It often takes a leader, someone who will continuously engage others in wellness behaviors, to help employees truly break old habits. The first step involves identifying and utilizing wellness champions, those with a genuine interest in wellness. By working with employees who have a passion for health, you can better understand the perceptions and needs of your employees.”

2. Improve marketing: “The ‘work' in a worksite wellness program will always out-prioritize wellness, so how do you market healthful behaviors and activities when they are not the focus? Make them a solid second.”

3. Recognize success with well thought-out incentives: “More than just a dangling carrot, incentives should make employees feel that their wellness efforts are valued. Budget them. You always budget for healthcare — now budget for healthy lifestyle. Incentives should be something you would actually want yourself. Promotional items may be a way to acknowledge participation, but they often miss the mark on recognizing achievement.”