Employees' perceptions of the impact of work on health behaviours. (July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Payne, Nicola; Jones, Fiona; Harris, Peter R
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 18:Number 7(2013)
• Page Start: 887
• Page End: 899
• Publication Date: 2013-07
• Subjects: drinking -- eating -- exercise -- health behaviour -- smoking; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105312446772
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

Research examining the impact of work on health behaviours has rarely provided a complete picture of the impact across health behaviours. Twenty-four employees were interviewed about their smoking, drinking, exercise and eating. Themes included the impact of the work environment, including policy, convenience and workplace cultural norms; business events effecting one's routine and again convenience and workplace cultural norms; being busy at work effecting time and energy for healthy behaviour; and work stress leading to health behaviours being used as coping responses on bad and good days. The impact of work is similar across health behaviours and is primarily detrimental.