Assessing Employee Wellbeing Resources for Governmental Public Health Professionals: A Narrative Review

Purpose of Review Employee wellness programs are being developed and implemented in organizations nationwide to mitigate burnout and improve retention. Employees have voiced their need to be supported beyond compensation by their employers and are using this ask to reshape organizational culture. This study examines peer reviewed articles, case studies, and practitioner articles to assess the impact that employee wellness programs have on employee performance and retention within the governmental public health field across the United States. Recent Findings Eight literature sources were analyzed to identify themes, practices, and strategies that have been implemented within public health agencies with the goal of improving employee wellbeing. Three categories of themes emerged; identified employee wellness program strategies, employee response to wellness efforts, and organizational change around employee-focused workplaces. Summary The study revealed that employee wellness programs can help reduce turnover and employees tend to respond positively to these efforts. However, more information is needed to determine if this is a practice that is effective in rebuilding workforces within the governmental public health field.