Perceptions of workplace health: building community partnerships

• Published in: Clinical governance 2007, Vol.12 (3), p.178-187
• Main Authors: Makrides, Lydia, Heath, Stephanie, Farquharson, Jane, Veinot, Paula L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Canada; Corporate culture; Cost control; Employees; Employers; Environmental factors; Focus groups; Health education; Health promotion; Occupational health; Occupational health and safety; Partnerships; Perceptions; Personal health; Qualitative research; Risk management; Studies; Wellness programs; Work environment; Workplaces
• ISSN: 1477-7274; 2059-4631; 1758-6038; 2059-464X
• DOI: 10.1108/14777270710775891

Purpose - Workplace health promotion initiatives are an effective way to reach adults, and provide safe and healthy working environments that support individual health. The purpose of this project was to: learn how organizations businesses define workplace health; assess employer support and commitment for workplace health initiatives; assess facilitators and barriers to workplace wellness health; and understand workplace needs around evaluation and outcome measures.Design methodology approach - A community partnership, Wellness Initiatives Network (WIN), was established to provide a forum for organizations in Atlantic Canada to share knowledge and experience on workplace health. Focus groups were conducted with businesses organizations in the four Atlantic Provinces. Tape-recorded transcriptions were analyzed using thematic analysis.Findings - Ingredients for successful workplace health initiatives include onsite programs, the provision of incentives and recognition for employees, and the need to build awareness, understanding and commitment among managers who can help to create a supportive culture, which supports employee health. Measuring outcomes related to workplace health is critical.Practical implications - Workplace health promotion should encompass a comprehensive approach that acknowledges the important roles of personal, social and environmental factors.Originality value - There is both interest and readiness to implement workplace health in Atlantic Canada. Workplace health is a responsibility of all - individual employees, employers and workplaces, and government. All stakeholders must be involved to help employees, workplaces and the health system cope with an aging population and concomitant increasing stresses at work and home. Engaging leaders is a critical step in building an integrated, comprehensive and sustainable approach to workplace health.