Improving employee well-being through worksite health promotion? The employees' perspective

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of worksite health promotion to improve individual well-being from the employees' perspective, analyze benefit categories and develop suggestions for future worksite health promotion program designs. Subjects and methods: A questionnaire based on a qualitative study was distributed in four Austrian organizations to cover state-owned, private, and non-profit organizations. A total of 237 white-collar employees participated in the survey. Results: Workplace health promotion does improve individual well-being from the employees' perspective. A factor analysis of the changes in well-being reported yields a three-factor solution with a physical/ cognitive element, a social component, and an emotional factor. In the sample tested, the physical-cognitive and emotional elements of perceived benefits were felt the most. Conclusion: The current theoretical grouping of potential WHP effects requires further testing and might profit from being differentiated into more categories. Research on WHP could gain from a consideration of the employee's perspective by showing which program elements to focus on. Strengthening the emotional components of WHP information and program elements is proposed for increasing participation rates and the subsequent individual benefits derived.