Perceived workplace health support is associated with employee productivity

PURPOSE

To examine the relationship between perceived workplace health support and employee productivity.

DESIGN

A quantitative cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Washington State agencies.

SUBJECTS

A total of 3528 employees from six state agencies were included in this analysis.

MEASURES

Perceived workplace health support was assessed by two questions that queried respondents on how often they felt supported by the workplace for healthy living and physical activity. The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire was used to measure health-related absenteeism and presenteeism in the past 7 days.

ANALYSIS

Multivariate linear regression was used to estimate the mean differences in productivity by levels of perceived health support.

RESULTS

Most participants were between 45 and 64 years of age and were predominantly non-Hispanic white. Presenteeism varied significantly by the level of perceived workplace health support, with those who felt least supported having higher presenteeism than those who felt most supported. The difference in presenteeism by perceived workplace support remained significant in models adjusting for sociodemographic and health characteristics (mean difference: 7.1% for support for healthy living, 95% confidence interval: 3.7%, 10.4%; 4.3% for support for physical activity, 95% confidence interval: 1.7%, 6.8%). Absenteeism was not associated with perceived workplace health support.

CONCLUSION

Higher perceived workplace health support is independently associated with higher work productivity. Employers may see productivity benefit from wellness programs through improved perceptions of workplace health support.

A Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance Evaluation of Weekend Backpack Food Assistance Programs

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate an ongoing statewide weekend backpack program through the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework.

DESIGN

Mixed-methods inquiry was used to explore the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of backpack programs within Montana.

SETTING

Study participants completed audio-recorded one-on-one phone interviews.

PARTICIPANTS

Key informants (e.g., managers at food banks, staff at participating schools, policy makers) were purposively sampled (N = 20).

METHOD

Semistructured interviews were conducted to gather data to describe each RE-AIM dimension. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and deductively (i.e., using RE-AIM as themes) coded for meaning units, placed into higher-order categories, and summarized in narrative. Supporting quantitative data (e.g., the proportion of eligible students that joined the program, rate of school-level adoption) were calculated using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Backpack programs with a broad reach and evidenced effect may be appealing to adopt. Weekend food bags cost an average $3.87 (SD ± .94) and there were some positive (i.e., ease, protecting participants' privacy) and very few negative (logistical) components of implementation. Collaborators and community partners are necessary for long-term sustainability.

CONCLUSION

Backpack programs are widespread and have potential to relieve weekend hunger; however, more efforts need to be made to end childhood hunger.