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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Employers’ views on the promotion of workplace health and wellbeing: a qualitative study

Authors: Melanie Pescud, Renee Teal, Trevor Shilton, Terry Slevin, Melissa Ledger, Pippa Waterworth, Michael Rosenberg

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

The evidence surrounding the value of workplace health promotion in positively influencing employees’ health and wellbeing via changes to their health behaviours is growing. The aim of the study was to explore employers’ views on the promotion of workplace health and wellbeing and the factors affecting these views.

Methods

Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, 10 focus groups were conducted with employers selected from a range of industries and geographical locations within Western Australia. The total sample size was 79.

Results

Three factors were identified: employers’ conceptualization of workplace health and wellbeing; employers’ descriptions of (un)healthy workers and perceptions surrounding the importance of healthy workers; and employers’ beliefs around the role the workplace should play in influencing health.

Conclusions

Progress may be viable in promoting health and wellbeing if a multifaceted approach is employed taking into account the complex factors influencing employers’ views. This could include an education campaign providing information about what constitutes health and wellbeing beyond the scope of occupational health and safety paradigms along with information on the benefits of workplace health and wellbeing aligned with perceptions relating to healthy and unhealthy workers.
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Metadata
Title
Employers’ views on the promotion of workplace health and wellbeing: a qualitative study
Authors
Melanie Pescud
Renee Teal
Trevor Shilton
Terry Slevin
Melissa Ledger
Pippa Waterworth
Michael Rosenberg
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-2029-2

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