A Cross-sectional Study on Perceived Workplace Health Support and Health-Related Quality of Life

Abstract

Objective: Many companies in Japan have been increasingly interested in "health and productivity management (H&PM)." In terms of H&PM, we supposed that companies can enhance their employees' perceived workplace health support (PWHS) by providing support for workers' lively working and healthy living. This could then improve health-related QOL (HRQOL) by increasing PWHS. This study explored the relationship between PWHS and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Methods: During the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2020, we conducted an Internet-based nationwide health survey of Japanese workers (CORoNaWork study). A database of 27,036 participants was created. The question regarding the intensity of PWHS was measured using a four-point Likert scale. We used a linear mixed model (LMM) to analyze the relationship between the intensity of PWHS and the four domains of CDC HRQOL-4 (self-rated health, number of poor physical health days, number of poor mental-health days, and activity limitation days during the past 30 days). Results: In the sex- and age-adjusted and multivariate models, the intensity of PWHS had a main effect on self-rated health and the three domains of unhealthy days (physical, mental, activity limitation). There was also a trend toward worse HRQOL scores as the PWHS decreased. Conclusions: This study aimed to document the relationship between PWHS and HRQOL. We found that the higher the PWHS of Japanese workers, the higher their self-rated health and the lower their unhealthy days. Companies need to assess workers′ PWHS and HRQOL and promote H&PM. H&PM is also necessary to maintain and promote the health of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Workplace Infection Prevention Control Measures and Work Engagement During the COVID-19 Pandemic among Japanese Workers: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…28 A previous study has reported that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the higher workers’ perceived workplace health support—that is, the support for workers’ lively working and healthy living provided by the workplace—the higher the health-related quality of life. 29 In addition, clear policies surrounding workplace IPC measures have been reported to build trust between employers and workers. 30 Actively promoting workplace IPC measures could also be found to enhance corporate governance, increase employees’ perceived workplace health support, and contribute to positive mental health, including increased work engagement.…”

Workplace infection control measures and romantic activities of workers during COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective cohort study in Japan

“…Infection control in the workplace, which is where workers spend most of their time and therefore a major place of human contact, has been reported to affect not only infection prevention but also workers' mental well-being and performance. [9][10][11][12] COVID-19 measures taken by Japanese employees include refraining from going to work when sick, measuring their body temperature, disinfecting the workplace, and teleworking. However, the extent to which the various control measures are implemented varies with the size of the company, the type of work, and other factors.…”