Employee perspectives of workplace health promotion in selected institutions in Nigeria

Abstract

This study explored (a) available workplace interventions to support or  improve workers health and well-being (b) the kind of health messages employees prefer, and (c) preferred methods of delivery for work place health promotion programmes. This study employed a cross-sectional design by a structured questionnaire that was completed by 417 employees in 20 workplaces. The results found a low level of work place health interventions by employers. Employees indicated a preference to participate in physical health activities and stress-buster sessions. Employees preferred participative programmes and the email/intranet for conveyance of health messages; they generally believed workplace health promotion would make the workplace more comfortable as well as improve their health and job satisfaction. The results suggest that companies that intend initiating health promotion programmes need to conduct a detailed assessment of the nature of the workplace settings and the needs of employees.

Keywords: Workplace, health promotion, employees, wellness, perception