Wellbeing at work : a proposal for a health promotion intervention in a broadcasting services company

Abstract

The aim of the study was to design a health promotion intervention in the workplace. This proposal was based on the theories and models which explain health behaviour and underpin health promotion interventions. The workers’ perceptions regarding their levels of wellbeing at work and how they thought this could be improved provided insight for the intervention proposed. Prior to conducting the interviews, a literature review on the main theories and models underpinning behaviour change and health promotion interventions was carried out. The PRECEED-PROCEED model was identified to guide the needs assessment. In total, six interviews were carried out. The workers were all chosen from the broadcasting company taken into consideration. One worker from five different departments was contacted to collect data for the social assessment and situational analysis. The departments involved were the newsroom, the editing suites, the photography department, the sales department, and the camerapersons. An additional interview was carried out with the management. Ages and gender varied. The interview questions were aimed at collecting data but also at creating awareness among the interviewees about wellbeing in workplaces. The employees interviewed showed a good degree of awareness of positive health behaviour. They claimed that this type of work caused stressed most of the time due to their long shifts and tight deadlines. Their eating habits and levels of physical activity are negatively influenced due to these factors. Their opinion is that more importance should be given to the employees’ wellbeing. They recommended different initiatives that the company could organise. These included seminars or workshops in order to help the employees take good care of themselves and their health, psychological support and welcoming well-equipped areas where they can spend their breaktime. As a result of the findings, health promotion interventions that can take place in the broadcasting services company were proposed in order to improve health promotion at work.