What is workplace health promotion?

HR Manager

3: Health promoting workplaces

What is workplace health promotion?

Employers have various legal duties in relation to safety and health management (see theme 2).

Workplace health promotion is the combined efforts of employers, employees and society to improve the health and well-being of people at work. This can be achieved through a combination of (1) improving the work organisation and the working environment; (2) promoting active participation; and (3) encouraging personal development. (Source)

complements these legal requirements, and focuses on a number of factors that are not necessarily covered by occupational health and safety legislation.

The European Network for Workplace Health Promotion has defined

Workplace health promotion is the combined efforts of employers, employees and society to improve the health and well-being of people at work. This can be achieved through a combination of (1) improving the work organisation and the working environment; (2) promoting active participation; and (3) encouraging personal development. (Source)

as the combined efforts of employers, employees and society to improve the health and well-being of people at work. This places particular emphasis on improving the work organisation and working environment, increasing workers' participation in shaping the working environment, and encouraging personal skills and professional development. 

In general,

Workplace health promotion is the combined efforts of employers, employees and society to improve the health and well-being of people at work. This can be achieved through a combination of (1) improving the work organisation and the working environment; (2) promoting active participation; and (3) encouraging personal development. (Source)

focuses on issues such as:
  • Health education and training;
  • Work-life balance (social network, family welfare, commuting conditions);
  • Stress and mental well-being; and
  • Lifestyle (nutrition, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol).

The role of HR 

HR has an important role to play in supporting management to develop and implement

Workplace health promotion is the combined efforts of employers, employees and society to improve the health and well-being of people at work. This can be achieved through a combination of (1) improving the work organisation and the working environment; (2) promoting active participation; and (3) encouraging personal development. (Source)

initiatives. 

Benefits of workplace health promotion (Next section)