Factors influencing the implementation of workplace health promotion in companies in rural areas

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-259
Author(s):  
Luisa Hente ◽  
Torsten Schlesinger
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Demographic Change ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Workplace Health Promotion ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Skilled Workers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Status ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Related Attitude

PurposeWorkplace health promotion (WHP) is becoming increasingly important due to the ageing workforce and a shortage of skilled workers. Nevertheless, too few companies have reacted to the demographic change and introduced health-promoting measures. This paper aims to identify which factors influence the implementation of WHP, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas.Design/methodology/approach253 companies in a rural area in the federal state of Saxony (Germany) were surveyed using a standardised questionnaire via a computer-assisted telephone interview. Bivariate analyses and logistic regression models were carried out. The focus was on the relationship between the status of WHP and the size of the company, pressure of demographic change, health-related attitude and organisational capacity factors.FindingsIt was shown that, in addition to the control variables company size and pressure of the shortage of skilled workers, a company's attitude regarding health promotion, financial capacity and planning and development capacity has a relevant influence on the status of WHP.Practical implicationsBased on the results, targeted measures can be developed and converted to implement WHP, particularly in SMEs in rural regions. The focus should be on sensitisation, knowledge transfer and capacity development.Originality/valueThe present paper reveals the relationship between company size, pressure of demographic change, health-related attitude and organisational capacities regarding the status of health-promoting measures in SMEs in a rural region.

scholarly journals A workplace health promotion application of the Precede-Proceed model in a regional and remote mining company in Whyalla, South Australia

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 154-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dannielle Kay Post ◽  
Mark Daniel ◽  
Gary Misan ◽  
Matthew T Haren
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Workplace Health Promotion ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Interrupted Time Series ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Intervention Programme ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Life Issues ◽  
Health Related

Purpose – Workplace health promotion enables the dissemination of health-related information to a large portion of society and provides a vehicle for translating results of efficacy studies to effective lifestyle interventions under less controlled real-world conditions. To achieve effectiveness there needs to be a systematic approach to the design, implementation, and evaluation of workplace health promotion interventions. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a workplace programme in a mining and steel making town in regional South Australia. Design/methodology/approach – The Precede-Proceed model (PPM) was used as a framework to design the development, implementation, and evaluation of the programme. Findings – Quality of life issues and antecedents of modifiable behavioural and environmental factors to be targeted by interventions were identified. Relevant socio-behavioural theories were used to guide intervention development and evaluation. An intervention programme was planned to enable the delivery of educational and skills-development strategies by peers within structured organisational work units. Originality/value – This research utilises the PPM to develop, implement, and evaluate intervention strategies targeting the development of diabetes and cardiometabolic risk in a remotely located workplace population. Novel to this approach is the utilisation of the entire PPM in the research; the multiple baseline, interrupted time series design of the study; and its application in a workplace environment noted for increased health risk factors, within a community at high risk of development of type 2 diabetes.

Organizational Health Promotion: Broadening the Horizon of Workplace Health Promotion

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 337-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. DeJoy ◽  
Mark G. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Workplace Health Promotion ◽  
Work Organization ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Organizational Health ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
The Status ◽  
Worksite Health ◽  
Healthy Work ◽  
Health And Well Being

This article argues that efforts to improve the health and well-being of the workforce should begin with the organization itself. The term organizational health promotion is introduced to expand the scope of worksite health promotion. Organizational health promotion delves into the basic structural and organizational fabric of the enterprise—to how work is organized. The core themes of healthy work organization are introduced, and the status of our ability to identify organizational risk factors is discussed. A conceptual model of healthy work organization is presented, along with a process for expanding the health promotive capacity of the organization. The final section addresses challenges related to adopting an organizational health promotion perspective.

scholarly journals Truckies and health promotion: using the ANGELO framework to understand the workplace’s role

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 406-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marguerite C. Sendall ◽  
Phil Crane ◽  
Laura McCosker ◽  
Marylou Fleming ◽  
Herbert C. Biggs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Workplace Health Promotion ◽  
Personal Responsibility ◽  
Road Transport ◽  
Truck Drivers ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transport Industry

Purpose Workplaces are challenging environments which place workers at the risk of obesity. This is particularly true for Australian road transport industry workplaces. The Analysis Grid for Environments Linked to Obesity (ANGELO) framework is a public health tool which can be used to conceptualise obesogenic environments. It suggests that workplaces have a variety of roles (in the physical, economic, political and sociocultural domains) in responding to obesity in transport industry workplaces. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings which explore this idea. Design/methodology/approach The project used a mixed-methods approach located within a participatory action research framework, to engage workplace managers and truck drivers in the implementation and evaluation of workplace health promotion strategies. The project involved six transport industry workplaces in Queensland, Australia. Findings This study found that transport industry workplaces perceive themselves to have an important role in addressing the physical, economic, political and sociocultural aspects of obesity, as per the ANGELO framework. However, transport industry employees – specifically, truck drivers – do not perceive workplaces to have a major role in health; rather, they consider health to be an area of personal responsibility. Practical implications Balancing the competing perceptions of truck drivers and workplace managers about the workplace’s role in health promotion is an important consideration for future health promotion activities in this hard-to-reach, at-risk population. Originality/value The use of the ANGELO framework allows the conceptualisation of obesity in a novel workplace context.

Anatomy of an effective workplace health intervention: a comprehensive new model

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 461-475
Author(s):  
Sean Peter Hennessey ◽  
Laurene Rehman
Keyword(s):  
Workplace Health Promotion ◽  
Action Planning ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Model ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Health Model

PurposeThis study proposes a new model, called the Integrated Human Health Model (IHHM), to improve the design and effectiveness of Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) interventions.Design/methodology/approachEighteen participants were purposefully selected from 44 participants in a 2.5-day WHP intervention targeting multiple health behaviours (MHB). The intervention has shown to improve quality of life and health-related behaviours in rigorous studies. Qualitative data collection methods were observations, repeat semi-structured interviews and weekly e-journals collected over three months. Template analysis was used to develop the IHHM describing participants' experiences.FindingsThe IHHM describes the health behaviour change process using eight themes: facilitation, assessment, desired life, barriers, knowledge and skills, insights, action planning, and monitor and support.Practical implicationsWith the paucity of evidence informing WHP intervention effectiveness, this study provides a preliminary model serving practitioners to design more effective interventions and scholars to improve evidence.Originality/valueThis study proposes a practical comprehensive model for practitioners and leaders to more effectively design and evaluate successful MHB WHP interventions compared to existing models.

scholarly journals Perceived impacts of company Workplace Health Promotion on employment relationship

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 238-254
Author(s):  
János Fehér ◽  
Matthias Reich
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Work Motivation ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Workplace Health Promotion ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Employment Relationship ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Productivity Losses ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Perceived Impacts

Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) as part of Workplace Health Management (WHM) is an emerging function within organizational HRM. Research has investigated the economic feasibility of WHM by examining health-related productivity losses and presenteeism but has also shown connections of WHM and employee reactions, i. a. happiness, confidence, job satisfaction, and perceptions of being cared for by employers. The goal of this paper is to examine possible impacts of WHM, and especially WHP on certain motivational and emotional aspects of the employment relationship, namely the perceived attractiveness of the employer, and perceived impacts of WHM/WHP on emotional atmosphere, work motivation, commitment of the employees, and the number of voluntary quits.

scholarly journals Implementing workplace health promotion – role of middle managers

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Just Bendix Justesen ◽  
Pernille Eskerod ◽  
Jeanette Reffstrup Christensen ◽  
Gisela Sjøgaard
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Middle Managers ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Workplace Health Promotion ◽  
Office Workers ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address a missing link between top management and employees when it comes to understanding how to successfully implement and embed workplace health promotion (WHP) as a strategy within organizations: the role of the middle managers. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual framework based on review of theory is applied within an empirical multi-case study that is part of a health intervention research project on increased physical activity among office workers. The study involves six Danish organizations. Findings Middle managers play a key role in successful implementation of WHP, but feel uncertain about their role, especially when it comes to engaging with their employees. Uncertainty about their role appears to make middle managers reluctant to take action on WHP and leave further action to top management instead. Research limitations/implications Limitations included the middle managers’ low attendance at the half-day seminar on strategic health (50 percent attendance), the fact that they were all office workers and they were all from Denmark. Practical implications Middle managers ask for more knowledge and skills if they are to work with WHP in daily business. Social implications Implementing and embedding WHP as a health strategy raises ethical issues of interfering with employees’ health, is seen as the employee’s personal responsibility. Originality/value This study adds to knowledge of the difficulties of implementing and embedding WHP activities in the workplace and suggests an explicit and detailed research design.

What really improves employee health and wellbeing

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Dickson-Swift ◽  
Christopher Fox ◽  
Karen Marshall ◽  
Nicky Welch ◽  
Jon Willis
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Workplace Health Promotion ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Employee Health ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Health Promoting

Purpose – Factors for successful workplace health promotion (WHP) are well described in the literature, but often sourced from evaluations of wellness programmes. Less well understood are the features of an organisation that contribute to employee health which are not part of a health promotion programme. The purpose of this paper is to inform policy on best practice principles and provide real life examples of health promotion in regional Victorian workplaces. Design/methodology/approach – Individual case studies were conducted on three organisations, each with a health and wellbeing programme in place. In total, 42 employers and employees participated in a face to face interview. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and the qualitative data were thematically coded. Findings – Employers and senior management had a greater focus on occupational health and safety than employees, who felt that mental/emotional health and happiness were the areas most benefited by a health promoting workplace. An organisational culture which supported the psychosocial needs of the employees emerged as a significant factor in employee's overall wellbeing. Respectful personal relationships, flexible work, supportive management and good communication were some of the key factors identified as creating a health promoting working environment. Practical implications – Currently in Australia, the main focus of WHP programmes is physical health. Government workplace health policy and funding must expand to include psychosocial factors. Employers will require assistance to understand the benefits to their business of creating environments which support employee's mental and emotional health. Originality/value – This study took a qualitative approach to an area dominated by quantitative biomedical programme evaluations. It revealed new information about what employees really feel is impacting their health at work.

scholarly journals Strategies of active dissemination of workplace health promotion

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verena Friedrich ◽  
Susanne Hoffmann ◽  
Georg Bauer
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Workplace Health Promotion ◽  
Real Life ◽  
External Support ◽  
Tobacco Prevention ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Research

Purpose – A growing body of literature provides evidence for the efficacy of workplace health promotion (WHP). However, little is known about effective dissemination strategies for WHP interventions. The purpose of this paper is to describe how a WHP agency in Zurich, Switzerland, used bulk mailings, information events, telephone marketing and free initial consultations for the large-scale geographic marketing of WHP services, with a focus on tobacco prevention (TP). Design/methodology/approach – To analyze the number of companies responding positively to solicitation, examine the predictors of positive responses and explore the reasons for negative responses, the authors used both quantitative (e.g. a standardized questionnaire) and qualitative (telephone interviews) methods. Findings – The results show that except for telephone marketing (69 percent), the success rates of dissemination activities were very low (3-9 percent). Predictors for a positive response were institutionalization of WHP, the representative’s personal concern about TP, and problems with environmental tobacco smoke within the company. The most prominent reason for a negative response was that the companies had already implemented TP measures by themselves and needed no further external support. Practical implications – It is suggested that TP was the wrong emphasis for a WHP program to be disseminated at that particular time, because a law on protection from passive smoking was introduced in Switzerland shortly afterwards. Originality/value – The study examines dissemination strategies under real-life consulting conditions. It builds on on a large sample of companies and uses both quantitative and qualitative research methods. It reports specific numbers and success rates of marketing activities and thereby contributes to the knowledge about an important issue for intervention planning in the field of WHP.

Workplace health promotion of large and medium-sized businesses

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Kohler
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Workplace Health Promotion ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Information Need ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Size ◽  
Health Insurance Companies

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between different areas of workplace health promotion (WHP) activities and predictors of the number of areas in which WHP activities are offered. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire with ten questions on WHP was mailed to the 478 largest businesses in Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany. The cross-sectional data from this survey are presented and explored using correlation and linear regression analyses. Findings – In total, 30 businesses, of which 90 percent offered WHP activities, participated in the survey. Businesses with WHP were, on average, active in 5.59 (SD=2.24) areas of health promotion. Offering an activity was positively correlated with offering an activity in at least one other area for all WHP areas except ergonomic workplace design (p < 0.05). Among businesses offering WHP, reporting that WHP would be strengthened with more support (−2.02, 95 percent CI: −4.04 to −0.01) and being a medium-sized business with an information need (−3.63, 95 percent CI: −5.70 to −1.57) or an opinion that health insurance companies should offer WHP (−1.96, 95 percent CI: −3.86 to −0.05) were all associated with offering activities in fewer WHP areas. In a multiple regression analysis, the information need of mid-size businesses was the only significant predictor (−5.25, 95 percent CI: −9.41 to −1.08). Practical implications – Addressing the information needs of medium-sized businesses concerning WHP could be an effective strategy for increasing the spectrum of WHP activities offered. Originality/value – This study complements existing studies by assessing associations between WHP activities and predictors of WHP activity emphasizing business size.

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