Employees' experiences of participating in a workplace-supported weight management service: a qualitative inquiry
International Journal of Workplace Health Management
ISSN: 1753-8351
Article publication date: 27 March 2020
Issue publication date: 16 April 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore public health employees' experiences of participating in a commercial weight management programme supported by their employers over a 12-week period.
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 employees who had participated in the programme (group-based or online).
Findings
The main motivators for enquiring about and attending the programme were: the offer to attend the programme free of charge, the opportunity to kick start their weight loss efforts, to take part in an academic research study and the opportunity for “shared experiences” with their colleagues.
Research limitations/implications
This study did not allow us to explore the reasons why some employees opted not to take up the opportunity for weight management support through their workplace. Further qualitative research with non-engagers would allow us to inquire about why employees might not engage with WM support and offer alternative strategies.
Practical implications
Employers should facilitate their employees' efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle in the long-term creating employer health and safety policies that actively encourage healthy living and weight management. Improving employee health can contribute to increasing productivity, reducing stress and absenteeism.
Originality/value
This paper presents a novel approach to facilitating employees' weight management. Employees perceived their employer-supported participation in a commercial weight management programme outside of their work setting as a positive experience that assisted their weight management efforts suggesting the acceptability and feasibility of this approach to addressing weight in the workplace.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the service users for their participation in the current study. The study was funded by Public Health England.
Citation
Staniford, L.J., Radley, D., Gately, P., Blackshaw, J., Thompson, L. and Coulton, V. (2020), "Employees' experiences of participating in a workplace-supported weight management service: a qualitative inquiry", International Journal of Workplace Health Management, Vol. 13 No. 2, pp. 203-221. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-04-2019-0050
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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