Strategic Choice and Implementation of Workplace Wellness Programs in the United States

Abstract

Despite widespread discussion and public policy support for workplace wellness programs in the United States, their diffusion has been slow. Using data from the 2017 Workplace Health Administration Survey, this paper explored the importance of establishment characteristics, unionization, and strategic choice in the adoption of workplace health initiatives and employee participation in these programs. An ordinary least squares analysis revealed that unionization (β = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.20–1.97, p < 0.001) and management support (β = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.25–2.10, p < 0.001) were the strongest predictors of the number of programs adopted by an establishment. In logistic regression analyses of nine workplace wellness programs, it was also found that unionization and management were the strongest predictors of the adoption of these programs. Management support was also correlated with employee participation of in nutrition (OR = 2.66, 95% CI = 1.23–5.71, p < 0.05) and obesity programs (OR = 3.66, 95% CI = 1.03–12.97, p < 0.05).