Let's work out: communication in workplace wellness programs

International Journal of Workplace Health Management,Volume 10, Issue 2, April 2017. Purpose People spend a lot of time communicating with their co-workers each day; however, research has yet to explore how colleagues influence each other's health behaviors. Accordingly, this study examined the association between health-related communication and health behaviors among co-workers in a workplace wellness program. Design/methodology/approach Participants (N = 169) were recruited from a large southwestern university and its local school district through email announcements sent from a wellness administrator. Participants were part of a workplace wellness program that offers several daily group fitness classes, as well as cooking classes, and other educational programs for faculty and staff. Findings Structural equation modeling was used to examine the association between people ’s perceived social influence and social support from co-workers, organizational socialization, and their health behaviors. Results indicated that perceived social influence from co-workers had an indirect effect on people’s health behaviors through their perceived social support from their co-w orkers, as well as through their organizational socialization. Research limitations/implications These variables were examined cross-sectionally, meaning that causal relationships and directionality cannot be determined in this study. Practical implications Co-worker communication and socializ ation appea...

Source: International Journal of Workplace Health Management - February 16, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research