Developing an integrated workplace well-being model for theory and management practice

Abstract

This study examines the potential confusion that arises for business regarding the delimitation of ‘Workplace well-being’1. This potential confusion arises in several places including Government reports, business practice and in academic and other literature. The reason for this is that Workplace well-being is simply equated either with workplace health within a health model and/or as employee engagement within a business model. In this study we explore this issue and argue that for the successful implementation of Work place well-being we should keep health issues distinct from a general business concept of Workplace wellbeing which encompasses other elements such as employee engagement and organisation communication, what we call an ‘Integrated Workplace well-being Model (IWBM).’ To make our case we focus directly on two cases study organisations where ‘Workplace wellbeing ’strategies are about to be implemented. As a first step we establish the context and management thinking within these companies regarding their views on what is ‘Workplace well-being’ within the workplace. We find that the management of both companies are caught between the health and business models, often conflating, confusing or overlapping the two.

In order to provide a coherent way forward for both companies we develop an integrated business model of employee engagement which utilises a factorial measurement that allows us to focus on an IWBM approach. This approach is then applied to both cases studies and the findings considered in terms of the practical aims of business and business management in their efforts to develop plans for Workplace well-being.

The findings suggest the IWBM offers business a more immediate and tractable process for assessing the present context of Workplace well-being, and that because it is integrated it allows managers to explore individual trajectories (employee engagement or organisation communication for example), as well as allowing them to integrate these within a larger view of the company.

Thesis is embargoed until 31st October 2016

Date of Award	Oct 2014
Original language	English
Sponsors	Department for Employment and Learning
Supervisor	Diane Hazlett (Supervisor) & John Wilson (Supervisor)