Supporting the Health of Low Socioeconomic Status Employees: Qualitative Perspectives From Employees and Large Companies

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to identify alignments between wellness offerings low socioeconomic status (SES) employees need and those large companies can provide. METHODS:Focus groups (employees); telephone interviews (large companies). Employees were low-SES, insured through their employers...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of occupational and environmental medicine 2018-07, Vol.60 (7), p.577-583
Main Authors: Parrish, Amanda T, Hammerback, Kristen, Hannon, Peggy A, Mason, Caitlin, Wilkie, Michelle N, Harris, Jeffrey R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Employee attitude
Employees
Focus groups
Health
Job satisfaction
Occupational health
Physical activity
Socioeconomic factors
Socioeconomic status
Socioeconomics
Workplaces
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Summary:OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to identify alignments between wellness offerings low socioeconomic status (SES) employees need and those large companies can provide. METHODS:Focus groups (employees); telephone interviews (large companies). Employees were low-SES, insured through their employers, and employed by large Washington State companies. Focus groups covered perceived barriers to healthy behaviors at work and potential support from companies. Interviews focused on priorities for employee health and challenges reaching low-SES employees. RESULTS:Seventy-seven employees participated in eight focus groups; 12 companies completed interviews. Employees identified facilitators and barriers to healthier work environments; companies expressed care for employees, concerns about employee obesity, and reluctance to discuss SES. CONCLUSION:Our findings combine low-SES employee and large company perspectives and indicate three ways workplaces could most effectively support low-SES employee healthcreate healthier workplace food environments; prioritize onsite physical activity facilities; use clearer health communications.
ISSN:1076-2752
1536-5948
DOI:10.1097/JOM.0000000000001318