Health and well-being in the workplace have become common topics in the mainstream media, in practitioner-oriented magazines and journals and, increasingly, in scholarly research journals. In this article, we first review the literature that serves to define health and well-being. We then discuss the primary factors associated with health and well-being, the consequences of low levels of health and well-being, and common methods for improving health and well-being in the workplace. Finally, we highlight important future directions for future theory, research, and practice regarding health and well-being from an organizational perspective.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Adelmann, P. K.1987. Occupational complexity, control, and personal income: Their relation to psychological well-being in men and women. Journal of Applied Psychology, 72: 529–537.
2.
Ahmad, S.1998. Get your sex insurance now: companies are rushing to buy policies to protect themselves from sex harassment suits. U.S. News & World Report, 124: 61-61.
3.
Anderson, R. C., & Grunert, B. K.1997. A cognitive behavioral approach to the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder after work-related trauma. Professional Safety, 42: 39–42.
4.
Baglioni, A. J., Cooper, C. L., & Hingley, P.1990. Job stress, mental health and job satisfaction among U.K. senior nurses. Stress Medicine, 6: 9–20.
5.
Baker, G., & Green, G. M.1991. Work, health, and productivity: Overview. In G. M. Green & F. Baker (Eds.), Work, health, and productivity: 3–8. New York: Oxford University Press.
6.
Baker, D. B., & Landrigan, P. J.1990. Occupationally related disorders. Environmental Medicine, 74: 441–460.
7.
Banham, R.1996. The hidden risks in telecommuting. Risk Management, 43: 58–62.
8.
Bell, C. R., & Tellman, N.1980. Errors, accidents, and injuries on rotating shift-work: A field study. International Review of Applied Psychology, 29: 271–291.
9.
Berry, C.1997. Is the U.S. workforce becoming more hazardous despite greater attention to health and safety?Metal Center News, 36: 50-50.
10.
Bies, R. J., Tripp, T. M., & Kramer, R. M.1997. At the breaking point: Cognitive and social dynamics of revenge in organizations. In R. A. Giacalone & J. Greenberg (Eds.), Antisocial behavior in organizations: 18–36. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
11.
Blanchard, M.1993. Managing for wellness. Executive Excellence, 8–9.
12.
Boles, J. S., Johnston, M. W., & Hair, J. F., Jr.1997. Role stress, work-family conflict and emotional exhaustion: Inter-relationships and effects on some work-related consequences. Journal of Personal Selling & Sales Management, 17: 17–28.
13.
Bourbeau, J., Brisson, C., & Allaire, S.1996. Prevalence of the sick building syndrome symptoms in office workers before and after being exposed to a building with an improved ventilation system. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 53: 204–210.
14.
Boyd, A.1997. Employee traps—corruption in the workplace. Management Review, 86: 9-9.
15.
Brief, A., & Atieh, J.1987. Studying job stress: Are we making mountains out of molehills?Journal of Occupational Behaviour, 8: 115–126.
16.
Briner, R. B.1994. Stress and well-being at work: Assessments and interventions for occupational mental health. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 67: 183–184.
17.
Brockner, J.1988. Self-esteem at work. Lexington: Heath.
18.
Brostoff, S.1997. Workers unhappy with health care system. National Underwriter (Life/Health/Financial Services), 101: 9-9.
19.
Bruening, J. C.1997. Standing at the ready: Charting an ergonomics compliance course. Managing Office Technology, 42: 20–23.
20.
Bruer, N. L.1997a. Honor their last will when terminally ill employees choose to work. Workforce, 76: 58–60.
21.
Bruer, N. L.1997b. When workers seek pastoral advice—how will you answer them?Workforce, 76: 44–51.
22.
Burke, M. J., Brief, A. P., & George, J. M.1993. The role of negative affectivity in understanding relations between self-reports of stressors and strains: A comment on the applied psychology literature. Journal of Applied Psychology, 78: 402–412.
23.
Burton, W. N., & Schneider, W. J.1997. The value of workplace cancer screening. Managed Healthcare, 7: 42–45.
24.
Cartwright, S., & Cooper, C. L.1993. The psychological impact of merger and acquisition on the individual: A study of building society managers. Human Relations, 46: 327–347.
25.
Caudron, S.1997. Surveys illustrate the business case for work/life programs. Workforce (Workforce Tools Supplement): 1–2.
26.
Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. 1997. Perils in the Workplace [Online]. Available FTP: ftp://146.142.4.23/pub/special.requests/ocwc/osh/cfar0022.txt.
27.
Champ, B.1997. The safety culture revolution: making it happen. Canadian Chemical News, 49: 12-12.
28.
Chiu, R. K., & Kosinski, F. A.1997. Relationships between dispositional traits and self-reported job satisfaction and distress: An investigation of nurses and teachers in Hong Kong. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 12: 71–85.
29.
Coleman, B. C.1997. Job-related injuries, illness take heavy toll. Houston Chronicle, July 28.
30.
Conrad, P.1988a. Health and fitness at work: A participants’ perspective. Social Science Medicine, 26: 545–550.
31.
Conrad, P.1988b. Worksite health promotion: The social context. Social Science Medicine, 26: 485–489.
32.
Cooper, C. L.1985. The road to health in American firms. New Society, 335–336.
33.
Cooper, C. L., & Cartwright, S.1994. Healthy mind; healthy organizations-a proactive approach to occupational stress. Human Relations, 47: 455–471.
34.
Cooper, C. L., Kirkaldy, B. D., & Brown, J.1994. A model of job stress and physical health: The role of individual differences. Personality & Individual Differences, 16: 653–655.
35.
Cooper, C. L., Mallinger, M., & Kahn, R.1978. Identifying sources of occupational stress amongst dentists. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 51: 227–234.
Daley, A. J., & Parfitt, G.1996. Good health-is it worth it? Mood states, physical well-being, job satisfaction and absenteeism in members and non-members of British corporate health and fitness clubs. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 69: 121–134.
38.
Daniels, K., & Guppy, A.1994. Occupational stress, social support, job control, and psychological well-being. Human Relations, 47: 1523–1544.
39.
Daniels, K., Brough, P., Guppy, A., Peters-Bean, K. M., & Weatherstone, L.1997. A note on a modification to Warr’s measures of affective well-being at work. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 70: 129–138.
40.
de Rijk, A. E., Le Blanc, P. M., Schaufeli, W. B., & de Jonge, J.1998. Active coping and need for control as moderators of the job demand-control model: Effects of burnout. Journal of Occupational & Organizational Psychology, 71: 1–18.
Elkin, A. J., & Rosch, P. J.1990. Promoting mental health at the workplace: The prevention side of stress management. Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Review, 5: 739–754.
43.
Emmet, E. A.1991. Physical and chemical agents at the workplace. In G. M. Green & F. Baker (Eds.), Work, health, and productivity: 35–44. New York: Oxford University Press.
44.
Esters, S. D.1997. Risk management beats lawsuits on RSI threat. National Underwriter, 101: 9–12.
45.
Figura, S. Z.1997. Respiratory disease: An elusive foe. Occupational Hazards, 59: 87–89.
Fletcher, B. C.1988. Occupation, marriage and disease-specific mortality. Social Science and Medicine, 77: 615–622.
49.
Foster, A.1998. Employee behavior is key to safety. Chemical Week, 160: 66-66.
50.
Frazer, H. T.1998. RMs can curb indoor-air problems. National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk Benefits Management, 102: 23-23, 78-78.
51.
Frew, D. R., & Bruning, N. S.1987. Perceived organizational characteristics and personality measures as predictors of stress/strain in the workplace. Journal of Management, 13: 633–646.
52.
Fried, Y., Rowland, K. M., & Ferris, G. R.1984. The physiological measurement of work stress: A critique. Personnel Psychology, 37: 583–615.
53.
Frone, M. R., Russell, M., & Cooper, M. L.1995. Job stressors, job involvement and employee health: A test of identity theory. Journal of Occupational & Organizational Psychology, 68: 1–11.
54.
Fusilier, M. R., Ganster, D. C., & Mayes, B. T.1987. Effects of social support, role stress, and locus of control on health. Journal of Management, 13: 517–528.
55.
Ganster, D. C.1989. Worker control and well-being: A review of research in the workplace. In S. L. Sauter, J. J. Hurrell, Jr., & C. L. Cooper (Eds.), Job control and worker health: 3–24. New York: Wiley.
56.
Ganster, D. C., Fusilier, M. R., & Mayes, B. T.1986. Role of social support in the experience of stress at work. Journal of Applied Psychology, 71: 102–110.
57.
Ganster, D. C., & Schaubroeck, J.1991. Work stress and employee health. Journal of Management, 17: 235–271.
58.
Ganster, D. C., Schaubroeck, J., Sime, W. E., & Mayes, B. T.1990. Unhealthy leader dispositions, work group strain and performance. Best Papers Proceedings of the Academy of Management: 191–195.
59.
Ganster, D. C., Schaubroeck, J., Sime, W. E., & Mayes, B. T.1991. The nomological validity of the Type A personality among employed adults. Journal of Applied Psychology, 76: 143–168.
60.
Geisel, J.1998. Health care costs flat in ’97: Study. Business Insurance, 32: 1–3.
61.
Glomb, T. M., Richman, W. L., Hulin, C. L., & Drasgow, F.1997. Ambient sexual harassment: An integrated model of antecedents and consequences. Organizational Behavior & Human Decision Processes, 71: 309–328.
62.
Glowinkowski, S. P., & Cooper, C. L.1986. Managers and professionals in business/industrial settings: The research evidence. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 8: 177–193.
63.
Greengard, S.1997. Genetic testing: Should you be afraid? It’s no joke. Workforce, 76: 38–41.
64.
Griffin, R. W., O’Leary-Kelly, A., & Collins, J.1998. Dysfunctional work behaviors in organizations. In C. L. Cooper & D. M. Rousseau (Eds.), Trends in organizational behavior: 65–82. Chichester, England: Wiley.
65.
Griffin, R. W., & Kacmar, K. M.1990. Laboratory research in management: Misconceptions and missed opportunities. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 12: 301–311.
66.
Harris, M. M., Heller, T., & Braddock, D.1988. Sex differences in psychological well-being during a facility closure. Journal of Management, 14: 391–402.
67.
Heath, R. P.1997. Humor is serious business. Electric Perspectives, 22: 68–80.
68.
Hoke, G. E. J.1997. Ergonomics: One size does not fit all. Telemarketing, 16: 28–31.
69.
Hornstein, H. H.1996. Brutal bosses. New York: Sage.
70.
Hooten, K.1997. Workplace perils. Occupational Health & Safety, 66: 50–53.
71.
Jackson, S. E., & Schuler, R. S.1985. A meta-analysis and conceptual critique of research on role ambiguity and role conflict in work settings. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 36: 16–78.
72.
Jamal, M.1990. Relationship of job stress and type-a behavior to employees’ job satisfaction, organizational commitment, psychosomatic health problems, and turnover motivation. Human Relations, 43: 727–738.
73.
Johnson, P. R., & Indvik, J.1997. The boomer blues: Depression in the workplace. Public Personnel Management, 26: 359–365.
74.
Jones, F., & Fletcher, B. C.1993. An empirical study of occupational stress transmission in working couples. Human Relations, 46: 881–903.
75.
Karasek, R., & Theorell, T.1990. Healthy work. New York: Basic Books.
76.
Kasl, S.1978. Epidemiological contributions to the study of work stress. In C. L. Cooper & R. Payne (Eds.), Stress at work: 3–38. Chichester: Wiley.
77.
Kasl, S.1986. Stress and disease in the workplace: A methodological commentary on the accumulated evidence. In M. F. Cataldo & T. J. Coates (Eds.), Health and industry: A behavioral medicine perspective: 52–85. New York: Wiley.
78.
Kelloway, E. K., & Barling, J.1991. Job characteristics, role stress and mental health. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 64: 291–304.
79.
King, P. M.1995. The psychosocial work environment: implications for workplace safety and health. Professional Safety, 40: 36–39.
80.
Kirkaldy, B. D., Furnham, A., & Cooper, C. L.1994. Police personality, job satisfaction and health. Studia Psychologica, 36: 55–63.
81.
Kuhnert, K. W., & Palmer, D. R.1991. Job security, health, and the intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics of work. Group & Organization Studies, 16: 178–192.
82.
Kuhnert, K. W., Sims, R. R., & Lahey, M. A.1989. The relationship between job security and employee health. Group & Organizational Studies, 14: 399–410.
83.
LaBar, G.1997. OSHA has a strategic plan: Do you?Occupational Hazards, 59: 10-10.
Lees-Haley, P. R.1986. How to detect malingerers in the workplace. Personnel Journal, 65: 106–110.
86.
Manuele, F. A.1997. A causation model for hazardous incidents. Occupational Hazards, 59: 160–164.
87.
Martell, K., & Sullivan, G.1994. Strategies for managers to recognize and remedy sexual harassment. Industrial Management, 36: 5–8.
88.
McClay, C. J.1998. The development of work-at-home safety programs. Professional Safety, 43: 39–41.
89.
McElveen, J. C., Jr.1992. Recent trends in workers’ compensation. Employee Relations Law Journal, 18: 255–271.
90.
McIlroy, G. T., & Travis, M.1981. Guide to medical laboratory tests. Minneapolis: Health Risk Management.
91.
Mullarkey, S., Jackson, P. R., Wall, T. D., Wilson, J. R., & Grey-Taylor, S. M.1997. The impact of technology characteristics and job control on worker mental health. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 18: 471–489.
92.
Nelson, A., Cooper, C. L., & Jackson, P. R.1995. Uncertainty amidst change: The impact of privatization on employee job satisfaction and well-being. Journal of Occupational & Organizational Psychology, 68: 57–71.
93.
Neuman, J. H., & Baron, R. A.1997. Aggression in the workplace. In R. A. Giacalone & J. Greenberg (Eds.), Antisocial behavior in organizations: 37–67. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
94.
Neville, H.1998. Workplace accidents: They cost more than you might think. Industrial Management, 40: 7–9.
95.
O’Donovan, C.1997. The bulletproof office. Communication World, 14: 28–31.
96.
O’Leary-Kelly, A., Griffin, R. W., & Glew, D. J.1996. Organization-motivated aggression: A research framework. The Academy of Management Review, 21: 225–253.
97.
Parkes, K. R.1989. Personal control in an occupational context. In A. Steptoe & A. Appels (Eds.), Stress, personal control and health: 21–47. Chichester: Wiley.
98.
Patterson, J. M.1997. Vpp companies’ best practices. Occupational Health & Safety, 66: 60–61.
99.
Pedone, R. R.1998. Sexual harassment in the workplace. LI Business News, 9: 23-23.
Price, R. H., & Hooijberg, R.1992. Organizational exit pressures and role stress: Impact on mental health. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 13: 641–651.
102.
Quick, J. D., Horn, R. S., & Quick, J. C.1986. Health consequences of stress. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 8: 19–36.
103.
Quick, J. C., Murphy, L. R., Hurrell, Jr., J. J., & Orman, D.1992. The value of work, the risk of distress, and the power of prevention. In J. C. Quick, L. R. Murphy & J. J. Hurrell, Jr. (Eds.), Stress & well-being at work: Assessments and interventions for occupational mental health: 3–13. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
104.
Rosenman, R. H., Friedman, M., Straus, R., Wurm, M., Kositchek, R., Hahn, W., & Werthessen, N. T.1964. A predictive study of coronary heart disease. Journal of the American Medical Association, 232: 872–877.
105.
Rotter, J. B.1966. Generalised expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs, 80: 609-609.
106.
Rydstedt, L. W., Johansson, G., & Evans, G. W.1998. A longitudinal study of workload, health and well-being among male and female urban bus drivers. Journal of Occupational & Organizational Psychology, 71: 35–45.
107.
Safety & Health Practioner. 1998. New link between RSI and keyboards, 16: 5-5.
108.
Seers, A., McGee, G. W., Serey, T. T., & Graen, G. B.1983. The interaction of job stress and social support: A strong interference investigation. Academy of Management Journal, 26: 273–284.
109.
Shahandeh, B.1985. Drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace: Consequences and countermeasures. International Labour Review, 124: 207–223.
110.
Skov, T., Borg, V., & Orhede, E.1996. Psychosocial and physical risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, shoulders, and lower back in salespeople. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 53: 351–356.
111.
Smith, K., Kaminstein, D. S., & Makadok, R. J.1995. The health of the corporate body: Illness and organizational dynamics. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 31: 328–351.
112.
Sparks, K., Cooper, C., Fried, Y. & Shirom, A.1997. The effects of hours of work on health: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 70: 391–408.
113.
Spurgeon, A., Gompertz, D., & Harrington, J. M.1996. Modifiers of non-specific symptoms in occupational and environmental syndromes. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 53: 361–366.
114.
Stage, J. K.1997. Attack on violence. Industry Week, 246: 15–18.
115.
Steffy, B. D., & Jones, J. W.1988. Workplace stress and indicators of coronary-disease risk. Academy of Management Journal, 31: 686–698.
116.
Stellman, J. M., & Snow, B. R.1986. Occupational safety and health hazards and the psychosomatic health and well-being of workers. In M. F. Cataldo & T. J. Coates (Eds.), Health and industry: A behavioral medicine perspective: 270–284. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
117.
Tellegen, A. 1982. Brief manual for the Differential Personality Questionnaire. Unpublished manuscript, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
118.
Umiker, W.1997. Workplace violence: The responsibility of employers and supervisors. Health Care Supervisor, 16: 29–41.
119.
Vecchio, R. P.1995. It’s not easy being green: Jealousy and envy in the workplace. Research in Personnel and Human Resources Management, 13: 201–244.
120.
Warr, P.1987. Work, unemployment, and mental health. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
121.
Warr, P.1990. The measurement of well-being and other aspects of mental health. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 63: 193–210.
122.
Watson, D., & Pennebaker, J. W.1989. Health complaints, stress, and distress: Exploring the central role of negative affectivity. Psychological Review, 96: 234–254.
123.
Werner, R. M., & Pearson, T. A.1998. What’s so passive about passive smoking? Secondhand smoke as a cause of atherosclerotic disease. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 279: 157-157.
124.
Weyman, A.1997. Let’s talk about sex. People Management, 3:21-21.
125.
Worklife Report. 1997. How to reduce workplace stress, 10: 4–5.
126.
World Health Organization. 1983. Guidelines on studies in environmental epidemiology. Geneva: WHO.
127.
World Health Organization. 1998. Definition of Health [Online]. Available: http://www.who.ch/aboutwho/definition.htm.
128.
Zedeck, S., & Mosier, K. L.1990. Work in the family and employing organization. American Psychologist, February: 240–251.
