Preliminary Results of a Workplace Health Promotion Program in Higher Education

Background: Employees of higher education have an increased risk for stress, burnout, and turnover. Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) programs have been shown to improve quality of life, reduce individual health risks, improve morale, reduce health care costs, and increase employee retention. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a WHP initiative on employee intent to stay, life/work balance, and work-related quality of life. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design at a Midwestern university. All faculty and staff were invited to participate in an Employee Wellness Hour, which allowed them to take an additional hour per day to participate in wellness-related activities. Those who chose to participate were required to track their wellness activity on a weekly basis in Qualtrics and invited to participate in a survey examining their intent to stay, life/work balance, and work-related quality of life. Analyses were conducted to determine whether participation in the Employee Wellness Hour had an impact on employee intent to stay, their life/work balance, and work-related quality of life. Results: Results indicated that those who participated in the Employee Wellness Hour were more likely to stay with their current employer and rated their working conditions more positively. Conclusions: The cost of employee turnover is immense, making it imperative that employers develop and implement innovative solutions to retain employees and improve working conditions. This study provided preliminary evidence that WHP programs can have a positive impact on retention and working conditions among those employed in institutions of higher education.