Researcher William Fleming found that there is little evidence to support the claim that workplace wellness programs provide the health benefits typically promised. That research from a couple of years ago still resonates, but Fleming has continued to research corporate wellness programs and is broadening his discussion. The latest research paper, “Health lifestyles at work: availability, barriers and participation in workplace wellness”, is a deeper analysis of the social context of wellness programs and why employers use them.
Category: wellbeing
Retail Violence and OHS Blind Spots: Time to Rethink the Strategy
Occupational health and safety (OHS) is the central theme of this blog, but it is essential to remember that not all workplace health and safety actions are governed by a single set of laws or a single regulatory agency. Safety in the retail sector offers a good example.
Are EAPs Meeting Modern Workforce Needs?
It is clear from the emails I have received, as well as many of the comments on LinkedIn and other social media platforms, that the modern role of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) remains a contentious issue, as discussed below. One of the many issues, young workers’ perceptions of EAP, was addressed by Alena Titterton of Johnson Winter Slattery, who provides an important and different perspective on who uses EAPs:
Trust Issues: The EAP Edition
This week, a colleague shared with me some bizarre experiences he had while negotiating with his company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider for basic data. It reminded me of the EAP role in preventing and managing psychosocial hazards at work. Australia’s psychological health regulations appear to have placed the EAP industry in a state of confusion and transition, which warrants consideration and the perpetual questioning of the effectiveness of EAPs. It may be that the days of the EAP, as traditionally configured, are over.
Rethinking Workplace Well-being: Insights from Adam Grant
In an era where employee mental health is increasingly recognised as critical, organisational psychologist Adam Grant offered useful insights into creating healthier, more productive workplaces at the Psych Health and Safety conference (PHSCon) in Sydney.
Grant argued that investing in employee well-being is not just a compassionate gesture but a strategic imperative. Companies must move beyond superficial benefits and focus on fundamental work design that empowers employees and supports their psychological health.