Determinants of employee participation in workplace health promotion

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the present paper is to gain a first insight into the determinants of employee acceptance of, and participation in, workplace health promotion (WHP) in the German speaking part of Europe with a focus on Austria.

Design/methodology/approach

Being a neglected field of research so far, a qualitative approach using problem‐centred interviews was chosen. These were conducted with 19 employees in three different organizations, the four people there responsible for WHP as well as with nine health experts. These interviews form the basis for preliminary propositions.

Findings

Determinants of employee acceptance of, and participation in, WHP are shown to concern information plus offer design. As for information, crucial factors are its flow, how it is presented and how it is received by the individual. Criteria regarding offer design are found on the individual and interpersonal level as well as referring to general environmental and organizational conditions.

Research limitations/implications

Further research on a broad quantitative level is required to test the propositions developed on the basis of the present qualitative study.

Practical implications

With their implications regarding information and offer design, the findings of the study can serve as a guideline for employee‐centred WHP and are of interest to practitioners as well as academics in the field.

Originality/value

Giving first insights into the employees' perspective regarding determinants of acceptance of, and participation in, WHP, this paper offers valuable suggestions for a target‐group oriented design of WHP.

Citation

Nöhammer, E., Schusterschitz, C. and Stummer, H. (2010), "Determinants of employee participation in workplace health promotion", International Journal of Workplace Health Management, Vol. 3 No. 2, pp. 97-110. https://doi.org/10.1108/17538351011055005