Sample Business Proposal, APA Style (Ratajczak)

MEMORANDUM
To: Jay Crosson, Senior Vice President, Human Resources Internal proposal is
structured in memo
From: Kelly Ratajczak, Intern, Purchasing Department format; subject
identified in header.
Subject: Proposal to Add a Wellness Program
Date: April 24, XXXX

Health care costs are rising. In the long run, implementing a Ratajczak opens
with a clear,
wellness program in our corporate culture will decrease the concise statement
of her main point.
company’s health care costs.

Research indicates that nearly 70% of health care costs are from
common illnesses related to high blood pressure, overweight, lack
of exercise, high cholesterol, stress, poor nutrition, and other
preventable health issues (Hall, 2006). Health care costs are a major Introductory
section provides
expense for most businesses, and they do not reflect costs due to supporting
background
the loss of productivity or absenteeism. A wellness program would information.
address most, if not all, of these health care issues and related
costs.

Benefits of Healthier Employees Headings clearly

define the sections
Not only would a wellness program substantially reduce costs of the proposal.
associated with employee health care, but our company would
prosper through many other benefits. Businesses that have wellness
programs show a lower cost in production, fewer sick days, and
healthier employees (“Workplace Health,” 2006). Our healthier
employees will help to cut not only our production and absenteeism
costs but also potential costs such as higher turnover because of low
employee morale.

Marginal annotations indicate business-style formatting and effective writing.

Source: Tom Jehn and Jane Rosenzweig (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2007).
Page header Wellness Program Proposal 2
contains an
abbreviated title
followed by five
Implementing the Program
spaces and an Implementing a good wellness program means making small changes
arabic page
number. The first to the work environment, starting with a series of information
page of a memo
is counted in sessions. Simple changes to our work environment should include
the numbering,
although a number
healthier food selections in vending machines and in the employee
does not appear. cafeteria. A smoke-free environment, inside and outside the building,
could be a new company policy. An important step is to educate our
employees through information seminars and provide health care
guides and pamphlets for work and home. In addition, the human
resources department could expand the current employee assistance
program by developing online materials that help employees and
their families to assess their individual health goals.

Each health program is different in its own way, and there are a
variety of programs that can be designed to meet the needs of our
individual employees. Some programs that are becoming increasingly
popular in the workplace are the following (“Workplace Health,”
2006):
• health promotion programs
• subsidized health club membership
• return-to-work programs
• health-risk appraisals and screenings

Ratajczak identifies Obstacles: Individual and Financial

and responds to
potential concerns. The largest barrier in a wellness program is changing the habits and
behaviors of our employees. Various incentives such as monetary
bonuses, vacation days, merchandise rewards, recognition, and
appreciation help to instill new habits and attitudes. Providing a

Source: Tom Jehn and Jane Rosenzweig (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2007).
 Wellness Program Proposal 3

healthy environment and including family in certain programs also

help to encourage healthier choices and behaviors (Hall, 2006).

The costs of incorporating a wellness program will be far less than

rising costs associated with health care in the long run. An employee’s
sense of recognition, appreciation, or accomplishment is an incentive
that has relatively low or no costs. The owner of Natural Ovens
Bakery, Paul Sitt, has stated that his company gained financially after
providing programs including free healthy lunches for employees
(Springer, 2005). Sitt said he believes that higher morale and keeping
valuable employees have helped his business tremendously.

It is important that our company be healthy in every way possible. The concluding
paragraph
Research shows that 41% of businesses already have some type of summarizes the
main point,
wellness program in progress and that 32% will incorporate programs provides support
within the next year (“Workplace Health,” 2006). Our company for being
competitive, and
should always be ahead of our competitors. I want to thank you for indicates a
willingness to
your time and I look forward to discussing this proposal with you discuss the
proposal.
further next week.

References
Hall, B. (2006). Good health pays off! Fundamentals of health Ratajczak provides
a list of the
promotion incentives. Journal of Deferred Compensation 11(2), sources she used
in her proposal.
16-26. Retrieved April 17, 2006, from ProQuest database The reference
(975606661). list is formatted
in APA style.
Springer, D. (2005, October 28). Key to business success? La Crosse
Tribune. Retrieved April 17, 2006, from ProQuest database
(920557951).

Source: Tom Jehn and Jane Rosenzweig (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2007).
 Wellness Program Proposal 4

White, M. (2005). The cost-benefit of well employees. Harvard

Business Review, 83(12), 22. Retrieved April 17, 2006, from
ProQuest database (930371701).
Workplace health and productivity programs lower absenteeism,
costs. (2006). IOMA’s report on managing benefit plans 6(2),
1-4. Retrieved April 17, 2006, from ProQuest database
(980950181).

Source: Tom Jehn and Jane Rosenzweig (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2007).