This chapter presents an updated framework for Integral Organizational Wellness (IOW), expanding on previous versions to address complex workplace pressures and new stressors.
Key components of the framework include: Eleven themes of organizational well-being, categorized into Assessment, Awareness, Action, Applications, and Attractive State Competencies for Occupational Health Psychologists (OHPs) related to each theme Roles and competencies of internal well-being practitioners and allies Potential business partners and their impact on organizational wellness The influence of...
A library on campus recently advertised their new standing-height workstations with a catchy sign proclaiming that “sitting is the new sugar.” The word is out: sitting is bad for us; worse, even, than the sugars and fats we have long vilified, and more harmful than cigarettes. Recent studies have linked prolonged sedentary time with obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, back pain, and psychological distress. Simply put, sitting is killing us. Sedentary behavior researcher Travis Saunders cautions that, “all things being equal (body weight, physical activity levels, smoking,...
Technology is becoming an increasingly prominent part in the lives of modern workers. A simple search of “well-being” in any app store can yield thousands of results, with each application claiming to improve different facets of users’ daily behaviors to lead a healthier lifestyle. To understand more about the value of health technology in organizations, HealthyWorkplaces conducted a literature review of existing health technologies in the marketplace and their corresponding scientific support. By combining academic and commercial sources, we explored the efficacy of different technologies...
As an interdisciplinary team, HealthyWorkplaces reaches out to collaborators to better understand how the variety of disciplines can come together to improve the workplace. This month, biomedical engineer Elizabeth Nelson of University of Twente provided her input about lack of sleep causing burnout in an ever increasing number of employees. Further, architect Antony Kim of University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Built Environment shared his knowledge about circadian rhythms and their regulation with proper lighting. We explore how the lighting architecture and biology of...
HealthyWorkplaces has identified those psychological states which, if stimulated by the work environment, either directly or indirectly, promote physical health and psychological well-being, resulting in energized and engaged workers who love what they do and who contribute to organizational effectiveness accordingly. We described the HealthyWorkplaces...
As the health of workers falls under a brighter spotlight, organizations are scrambling for ways to prevent ill health and promote good health of their workers. Many organizations turn to implementing “Wellness programs” to save on health care costs and increase productivity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a workplace health program as involving “a coordinated and comprehensive set of health promotion and protection strategies implemented at the worksite that includes programs, policies, benefits, environmental supports, and links to the surrounding community...
This paper presents a brief summary of major findings regarding employee health and well-being based on the scientific literature, including current and emerging approaches to preventing illness and injury in organizations, promoting health and well-being in the workplace, and mitigating health problems through organizational programs. I also offer suggestions for new approaches to research on employee health and well-being in order to significantly improve our chances of turning the corner on the growing health crisis. But first, let me describe the size of the problem we are facing.
This chapter explores the psychological aspects of the worker-job relationship, covering:
Historical context: Evolution from scientific management to modern theories of motivation and wellbeing Shift from "fitting the person to the job" to "fitting the job to the person" Key psychological constructs in the workplace: Core needs: autonomy, belongingness, competence Additional factors: positive emotions, psychological safety, fairness, meaning Main arguments: Satisfaction of fundamental psychological needs is crucial for: Worker wellbeing Positive organizational outcomes Empirical...
This chapter provides an overview of wage and hour litigation in the United States, with a focus on how industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology methods can be applied in these cases.
Key topics covered:
Relevant federal and state laws regarding overtime exemptions, independent contractor status, off-the-clock work, and meal/rest breaks Common types of wage and hour violations and allegations Methodologies used by I-O psychologists to analyze jobs and collect data in wage and hour cases, including job analysis questionnaires, observations, structured...
This article discusses three significant developments in wage and hour litigation:
Changes to Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime exemption criteria: The Department of Labor has proposed increasing the minimum salary requirement for exemption from $455/week to $951/week, potentially reclassifying millions of employees as non-exempt. This change could significantly impact both employers and employees in terms of compensation, work schedules, and job responsibilities. Increased enforcement of independent contractor misclassification: Federal...
