Exploring the link between work and health

International Journal of Workplace Health Management,Volume 10, Issue 2, Page 153-163, April 2017. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine if facets of workaholism are associated with a family history of metabolic diseases. Design/methodology/approach Data on workaholism and family history of health issues were collected, through administration of an online survey, from 194 employees. Findings Workaholism significantly related to a family history of metabolic diseases. Research limitations/implications Future researchers should collect objective disease data, examine work-related moderators as well as potential mediators, and implement longitudinal designs with much larger samples. That said, the data reveal a correlation between workaholism and family history of metabolic disease. Practical implications The results provide valuable information to help promote a healthy workforce and to improve employees ’ health by reducing workaholic tendencies. They could also help to minimize health-related costs associated with metabolic diseases that could develop in parallel with workaholism, as well as costs in terms of a loss in productivity due absenteeism. Originality/value It is, the authors believe, the first study to investigate the relationship between facets of workaholism and family history of health issues that have often been associated with metabolic diseases.

Source: International Journal of Workplace Health Management - March 23, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research