Table 2 Needs Assessment: Summary of interviews and discussion groups

What are the challenges of the existing health promotion program?

     Call Centre and Front-line Consultants

• High work demand and lack of time and support from managers significantly impacted participation in health and wellness initiatives

• Participation in wellness programs would be perceived negatively by co-workers and managers, and would impact their workload

• Very strong focus on production with no time for anything else

• Sense that wellness is not valued by organization as much as production

     Executives and Managers

• Lack of employee engagement and potential reasons lack of awareness and/or inadequate communication

• Need for a “culture shift” from the current reactive approach to a more “proactive wellness approach,”

• Wellness was low on the priority list among senior leadership

• Performance reviews that were focused on production, with wellness receiving little to no attention

• Data on “Return on Investment” on workplace health promotion and wellness programs were lacking and were essential to get additional resources from senior management

• Current program was event-driven; there needs to be a consistent and sustainable level of awareness and participation, and a need to better integrate the various wellness initiatives throughout the organization

• Lack of adequate training of managers in health promotion, the inability to identify and manage high-risk employees, and the need for more role models/mentors among management and respected peers

Enhance the current incentive strategies for employees and the need to measure their effectiveness

What are the important health issues impacting presenteeism?

• Mental health issues including stress, anxiety, and depression were the most dominant health problems impacting presenteeism

• Musculoskeletal conditions, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, upper respiratory infections, and headaches were also important

What jobs/individuals are at risk for presenteeism?

• Every employee was at risk for presenteeism and that health promotion programs should be directed at all employees

• Jobs with high work demand and low decision latitude were the most vulnerable

• Individuals with high work demand and high decision latitude were also at risk because their decisions impact the livelihood of many employees

What are important individual risk factors impacting presenteeism?

• High work/life stress, physical inactivity, poor nutrition habits, obesity, lack of sleep, smoking and social isolation were all important individual risk factors

What are important environmental risk factors impacting presenteeism?

• Workplace stress/demand, workplace culture, sitting posture (on phone/computer, poor ergonomics), long commuting time, shift work, cafeteria options and the added stress due to poor economy which impact company profits