Managing workplace health promotion in municipal organizations: The perspective of senior managers

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Larsson, Robert^* | Åkerlind, Ingemar | Sandmark, Hélène

Affiliations: School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Robert Larsson, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, PO Box 883, SE-721 23 Västerås, Sweden. Tel.: +46 0 21 10 13 06; E-mail: robert.larsson@mdh.se.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Previous research indicates that companies manage workplace health in various ways, but more in-depth empirical knowledge of how workplace health promotion (WHP) is managed in public sector organizations is needed. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to explore how WHP is managed and incorporated into the general management system in two large Swedish municipal organizations. METHODS:A qualitative descriptive approach was used. Fourteen senior managers were purposefully selected and interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Documents were used as supplementary data. All data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS:The management of WHP was described as a set of components that together contribute to the organization’s capacity for WHP. The informants described WHP as dominated by fitness programmes and as following a problem-solving cycle, in which the annual employee survey emerged as an important managerial tool. Achieving feasible WHP measures and appropriate follow-ups were described as challenges. The provision of leadership competence for WHP and use of supportive resources were described as additional components. CONCLUSIONS:The WHP management approach needs to be broadened to include work environment and organizational factors. Further integration with occupational health and safety and the general management system in the organizations is also needed.

Keywords: Integration, management, occupational health and safety, public sector organization, workplace health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-152177

Journal: Work, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 485-498, 2016