More employees in organisations in the built environment are beginning to suffer from ill health related to work when compared with employees in other industries. There are many reasons for this, such as: unsuitable working conditions, physical demands linked to the occupation and the high proportion of transient unskilled and semi-skilled employees. A study concerning the wellness levels of unskilled and semi-skilled employees therefore contributes to the understanding and improvement of employee health within the industry. The main objective of this study was therefore to identify the wellness levels of employees in the built environment and their perceptions of the extent to which their company provides wellness interventions or strategies. The methodological approach used in this study was within a quantitative paradigm, and a questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument. The findings indicated that the employees engaged in healthy activities and that the organisation encouraged the employees to maintain healthy lifestyles. However, there were areas that required consideration. Specifically, more attention should be given to budgeting for wellness interventions, regular health screenings should take place and more attention to substance abuse is required.

A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Public Health (MPH) in the School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2019 / Background: In South Africa, a well-performing health workforce is critical to the successful implementation of the National Health Insurance system. Sickness absenteeism influences health worker performance, with potentially negative consequences for quality of patient care and staff morale. Within the South African public sector, temporary incapacity leave is additional sick leave which is granted at the discretion of the employer once the allocated sick leave has been exhausted. Incapacity leave may only be accessed once the allocated 36 days of sick leave have been exhausted and the year 2016 marked the beginning of a new sick leave cycle. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine approved incapacity leave of health professionals in the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) with the objectives of describing the demographic and occupational characteristics of health professionals with approved incapacity leave, the medical reasons for this type of leave and to determine whether there was an association between demographic characteristics, occupational characteristics and medical reasons (independent variables) and approved incapacity leave (outcome). Methodology: This descriptive study used official government statistics obtained from the Personnel Salary Administration System. Electronic records of approved incapacity leave absences of health professionals employed in the GDoH were obtained for the period from 1 January 2016 until 31 December 2016. A structured record review form was used to extract information. STATA ® 15 was used for descriptive and multivariate statistical analysis. Results: In 2016, the GDoH approved the incapacity leave of 518 health professionals, who accounted for 1155 leave episodes. The mean age of health professionals with incapacity leave was 46 years (SD ± 10.2 years). Professional nurses accounted for 41.5% of incapacity leave. The main medical reasons for incapacity leave were mental disorders (12.8%) and musculoskeletal disorders (12.0%). The risk factors for incapacity leave among health professionals were: female, 35 years and older, from district hospitals and working in the Sedibeng health district (p<0.05). The odds of incapacity leave was three times higher for health professionals who were older than 45 years (45 to 54 years – adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.0 95% CI 2.3-4.0) (≥ 55 years - AOR 3.1 95% CI 2.3-4.3). The odds of incapacity leave among health professionals was highest for those working in the Sedibeng health district (AOR 2.2 95% CI 1.5-3.3). Conclusions: Sickness absenteeism is complex and influenced by individual, workplace and health system factors. The study findings suggest the need to improve the management of incapacity leave in the GDoH, through inter alia, improved information systems, monitoring of sickness absenteeism and the creation of positive practice environments. / TL (2020)

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 47-06, page: 3553. Adviser: Andrew E. Springer. Includes bibliographical references.

The purpose of this study was to show a relationship between the programming practices of wellness coordinators who perceive support from their organization and management and those who do not perceive support. Most research on worksite wellness has focused on the effectiveness or impact of wellness programs, while neglecting aspects of implementation such as the availability of support for the wellness coordinators in the worksite. The theoretical constructs of perceived organizational support (POS) served as the framework for the current study. A non-experimental, cross sectional questionnaire was the design of the study. Specifically, this quantitative study consisted of web-based electronic surveys. The questionnaire consisted of the following three components: 1.) An original set of demographic questions, 2.) Two subscales within the Leading by Example (LBE) scale, and 3.) Section Four of the HERO Scorecard. The participants included all members (N=150) of the West Virginia Wellness Council (WCWV) and all members (N=2000+) of the Health Educator Directory (HEDIR). All potential participants were sent a request for participation via email during the March and April 2011. The sample consisted of 30 worksite wellness coordinators. It was found that wellness coordinators perceived moderate levels of organizational (mean= 3.84, median=4) and managerial (mean=3.67, median=3.75) on a 5-point Likert scale. The program practices reported were consistent with typical worksite wellness programming initiatives. The analysis of the variables produced unexpected results. The results generally indicated that a negative relationship existed between perceptions of support and program practices. / Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology

Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 70-78).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1989. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1989.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 230 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 205-230).