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
Subject: Proposal to Add a Wellness Program
header.
Date: April 24, XXXX
Health care costs are rising. In the long run, implementing Ratajczak opens
with a clear,
a 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 Introductory section
provides supporting
are a major expense for most businesses, and they do not reflect background
information.
costs due to the loss of productivity or absenteeism. A wellness
program would 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: Hacker Handbooks (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007).
This paper follows the style guidelines in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th ed. (2010).
4/10
Page header Wellness Program Proposal 2
contains an
abbreviated title
followed by the Implementing the Program
page number. The
Implementing a good wellness program means making small
first page of a
memo is counted changes to the work environment, starting with a series of
in the numbering,
although a number information sessions. Simple changes to our work environment
does not appear.
should include healthier food selections in vending machines
and in the employee 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
While not strictly seminars and provide health care guides and pamphlets for work
APA style, the
formatting of the and home. In addition, the human resources department could
business report is
consistent with the
expand the current employee assistance program by developing
style typically used online materials that help employees and their families to assess
in corporations.
Headings are flush their individual health goals.
with the left margin
and boldface.
Paragraphs are Each health program is different in its own way, and there
separated by an
extra line of space, are a variety of programs that can be designed to meet the
and the first line of
each paragraph is needs of our individual employees. Some programs that are
not indented.
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
Source: Hacker Handbooks (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007).
Wellness Program Proposal 3
as monetary bonuses, vacation days, merchandise rewards,
recognition, and appreciation help to instill new habits and
attitudes. Providing a 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 The concluding
paragraph sum
possible. Research shows that 41% of businesses already have marizes the main
point, provides
some type of wellness program in progress and that 32% will
support for being
incorporate programs within the next year (“Workplace Health,” competitive,
and indicates
2006). Our company should always be ahead of our competitors. I a willingness
to discuss the
want to thank you for your time and I look forward to discussing proposal.
this proposal with you further next week.
Source: Hacker Handbooks (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007).
Wellness Program Proposal 4
References
Ratajczak provides Hall, B. (2006). Good health pays off! Fundamentals of health
a list of the sources
she used in her promotion incentives. Journal of Deferred Compensation, 11(2),
proposal. The 16-26. Retrieved from [Link]
reference list is
formatted in APA Springer, D. (2005, October 28). Key to business success? La
style.
Crosse Tribune. Retrieved from [Link]
Workplace health and productivity programs lower absenteeism,
costs. (2006). Managing benefit plans, 6(2), 1-4. Retrieved
from [Link]
Source: Hacker Handbooks (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007).