Workplace Health Promotion

Chapter 4.

Content

•Advance organizer•Definitions•Background to workplace health promotion•The European Reference Model for Workplace Health Promotion

Case study – The FAG Hospital

–Introduction in the case-study–Situation description–Staff data–Workplace characteristics

An Ecological Model of Health

Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion

•The Charter for Health Promotion which was adopted in Ottawa in 1986 identified five health promotion action areas:

1.build Healthy Public Policy,2.create supportive environments,3.develop personal skills,4.strengthen community action,5.reorient health services

Luxemburg Declaration document (2005) Definition of WHP

Workplace health promotion (WHP) is the combined efforts of employers, employees and society to improve the health and wellbeing of people at work.

1.This is achieved through a combination of: 2.improving the work organization and working environment;3.promoting the participation of workers in the whole process of WHP;4.enabling healthy choices,5.encouraging personal development

Health promoting organizations have major advantages

• Development and better quality of human resources

• Financial savings• Improved internal social relations• Creation of a positive social image• Support for marketing activities

Implementing WHP Programs - accomplished with simple, low-cost strategies

• Provide incentives for participation.• Establish a wellness informational campaign.• Schedule wellness seminars on diabetes, nutrition, physical fitness and

cholesterol, etc.• Establish initiatives such as fitness, sleep diary, tobacco use cessation

and injury prevention.• Provide onsite chair massages or simple stretching exercises to do at

the desk.• Change vending machine options to offer healthier, low-fat snacks and

drinks.• Actively promote employee participation in all Workplace Health

Promotion Program

Implementation, WHP characteristics

• It is health linked activity, which is NOT legal obligation

• It is voluntary activity for employers and employees

• It is about workplace health activity, based on– Risks– Needs– Preferences

The European Reference Model for Workplace Health Promotion

The generic environment for WHP

The European Reference Model for WHP - Scope

• Promote good practices of WHP, in according with the European reference model

• It is an action model for practitioners• To inform practitioners about field policies

The European Reference Model for Workplace Health Promotion

Main Elements:

The processActors and actionsEnabling and constraining factorsOutcomes

General model of workplace health promotion

The principal actors and actions in the WHP implementation process

Internal to the enterprise External to the enterpriseActors Actors

WorkersOccupational health staffHuman resource managementHealth and safety representativesLine managementTrade Union representativesWorks CouncilsTraining departments

InsurersWHP suppliersMultiplier organisationsPublic health agenciesHealth promotion agenciesOccupational health services

Actions ActionsMarketing health promotionSetting up structuresAssessing needsDeveloping a planImplementing the planEvaluating the initiativeConsolidating the initiative

Marketing WHPProviding WHP servicesMaking policy on WHPSupporting WHPFunding WHP

Enabling and constraining factors for WHPEnabling factors Constraining factorsInternal factors Internal factors

Health policyHealth budgetOccupational health serviceBroad absenteeism policy Quality management practices Trained personnelParticipatory practicesGood industrial relations

atmosphereProgressive training policiesOlder workers

Negative industrial relations atmosphereSmall size of enterpriseNarrowly defined Occupational Health ServicesWHP Policy vacuumIll defined responsibilities for WHPLow motivation for WHPLack of comprehensive illness absenteeism recordsYounger workersNewer enterprises

External factors External factorsIntegrated servicesMultiplier/intermediary

organisationsNational/regional WHP policyActive involvement of Insurers

Narrowly defined Occupational Health ServicesWHP Policy vacuumIll defined responsibilities for WHPLack of proven methodologies for WHPLack of trained personnel

Outcomes of WHP implementationDirect effects Indirect effectsHealth benefits Health benefits

Improved health awarenessImproved health statusImproved health related behavioursImproved mental wellbeingReduced psychosocial stress at workImproved fitnessImproved social support at work

Reduced accident ratesImproved occupational healthImproved general health

Organisational benefits Organisational benefitsReduced health related absenteeismReturn on investment

Improved industrial relations atmosphereImproved corporate imageImproved productivityImproved product/service quality Improved workforce skill levelsImproved morale

Conclusions

•WHP in Europe has been a relatively recent phenomenon, but in its short history it has developed a strong record of practice and achievement.

•It faces difficulties of acceptance because it does not have a statutory basis, but in many countries it is seen as a significant part of workplace health management.

WHP Program Pictures, Romania