Chapter 13 The Workplace Setting
Chapter Overview
Key Issues and Learning Outcomes
Key issues within this chapter:- Workplaces are important settings for health promotion.
- Workplace settings can be used to address both occupational health issues and general health promotion topics.
- Workplace health promotion involves: health education directed at the workforce; service improvement including introduction of occupational health services; and advocacy to implement policies on health issues.
- critically assess the potential of the workplace as a setting for health promotion.
- describe the role of health promotion in the workplace.
- plan health promotion in a workplace setting.
Test your Knowledge
Having read the chapter can you now answer the following questions?
- What is a workplace?
- Why is workplace health promotion important?
- Think of a workplace with which you are familiar and suggest at least three potential health promotion activities.
- What opportunities exist in the workplace for health promotion?
- Identify the key stakeholders you would wish to involve in a work-based health promotion initiative justifying your selection.
- What are the benefits of workplace health promotion to the employer?
- Develop an alcohol harm reduction workplace health policy for a particular workplace.
Internet links
The European Foundation for the improvement of Working Conditions
http://www.eurofound.eu.int/index.htm
The occupational health site for the World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/topics/occupational_health/en/
Health and Safety Executive (2008) management standards for managing stress in the workplace and improving health and wellbeing
http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/standards.htm http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/downloads.htm
Health and Safety Executive (2006) Case study example - Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS Trust
http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/casestudies/hinchingbrookenhs.htm
Standards for the Healthcare Workforce in Scotland http://www.healthworkerstandards.scot.nhs.uk/
Articles
Prevention and reduction of alcohol misuse. National Institute of Clinical Excellence. http://www.nice.org.uk/aboutnice/whoweare/ aboutthehda/hdapublications/prevention_and_reduction _of_alcohol_misuse_evidence_briefing_summary.jsp
Docherty, G., Fraser, E., Hardin, J. (1999). ‘Health promotion in the Scottish workplace: a case for moving the goalposts.’ Health Education Research, 14, 565-573. http://her.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/14/4/565
HDA (2001). ‘Workplace health is good practice.’ London: Health Development Agency. http://www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=502165
Fichtenberg,C.M.Stanton A. Glantz,S.A. (2002). ‘Effect of smoke-free workplaces on smoking behaviour: systematic review.’ British Medical Journal, 325 188. http://www.bmj.com/cgi/reprint/325/7357/188
Peersman,G., Harden,A., Oliver,S. (1998). ‘Effectiveness of health promotion interventions in the workplace: a review.’ London: Health Education Authority. http://www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=501959
UNAIDS (1998). ‘HIV/AIDS and the workplace. Forging innovative business Responses.’ Geneva: UNAIDS.
http://data.unaids.org/Publications/IRC-pub02/JC134-Workplace-TU_en.pdf
