The Role of Managers in Employee Wellness Programs: A Mixed-Methods Study.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate managers' barriers and facilitators to supporting employee participation in the Washington State Wellness program.

DESIGN

Exploratory sequential mixed methods.

SETTING

Four Washington State agencies located in Olympia and Tumwater, Washington.

PARTICIPANTS

State employees in management positions (executive, middle, and line), whose job includes supervision of subordinates and responsibility for the performance and conduct of a subunit or group.

METHODS

We interviewed 23 managers and then used the results to create a survey that was fielded to all managers at the 4 agencies. The survey response rate was 65% (n = 607/935).

ANALYSIS

We used qualitative coding techniques to analyze interview transcripts and descriptive statistics to summarize survey data. We used the Total Worker Health framework to organize our findings and conclusions.

RESULTS

Managers support the wellness program, but they also face challenges with accommodating employees' participation due to workload, scheduling inflexibility, and self-efficacy to discuss wellness with direct reports. About half the managers receive support from the manager above them, and most have not received training on the wellness program.

CONCLUSION

Our findings point to several strategies that can strengthen managers' role in supporting the wellness program: the provision of training, targeted messages, formal expectations, and encouragement (from the manager above) to support employees' participation.