Australian employee perceptions of an organizational-level intervention to reduce sitting

Abstract

Stand Up Lendlease-a cluster-randomized trial targeting reductions in sitting time in Australian office workers (n = 153, 18 manager-led teams, 1 organization)-effectively reduced sitting time during work hours and across the day after 12 months. The trial included two arms: organizational-support strategies (e.g. manager support, emails) with or without an activity tracker. The current study aimed to examine participant perceptions of the intervention, and perceived barriers and facilitators for reducing sitting time. Telephone interviews (n = 50 participants; conducted at 6-10 months) and three focus groups (n = 21 participants; conducted at 16 months) evaluated the intervention with qualitative data analysed thematically. Several consistent themes emerged across both short and long-term time points and intervention groups. Support and role modelling of desired behaviours from important organization personnel and receiving feedback on sitting levels were key drivers of change. Improvements in awareness about sitting, and workplace culture changes supporting active work practices were positive impacts of the intervention, but some participants also reported that initial cultural effects had dissipated and the intervention needed 'reinvigoration'. Participants desired additional 'tools' to maintain sitting less and being active, such as sit-stand desks, standing meeting tables and activity trackers. In summary, the intervention raised awareness and initiated cultural changes towards active work practices, however, additional support may be required to maintain changes in organizational culture long term. Practical tools to support sitting changes, organizational and management support and role modelling, as well as ongoing 'reinvigoration' are key strategies for short and long-term intervention success in office workplaces.

A multi-component intervention to sit less and move more in a contact centre setting: a feasibility study

“…Consistent with previous research, agents citied various health and work-related benefits to reduced sitting at work, including reduced musculoskeletal symptoms [70], improved health awareness [64] and reduced fatigue [12]. Novel benefits perceived by agents included improved optical health, and improved tone of voice, confidence and assertiveness during customer calls while standing compared sitting.…”

“Oh-oh, the others are standing up... I better do the same”. Mixed-method evaluation of the implementation process of ‘Take a Stand!’ - a cluster randomized controlled trial of a multicomponent intervention to reduce sitting time among office workers

“…In addition to management support, previous studies have found workplace champions play an important role during the implementation of workplace interventions [21,23,[26][27][28][29]. However, in the present study, the role of ambassadors showed no relation to the effect of sitting, and interviews also listed mixed results.…”

“…During the intervention period, participants were prompted to change their behaviour and e.g. raise their desks by seeing others doing so, and this is supported by findings from other sitting time interventions [ 27 , 30 – 32 ] and findings that workers in individual offices had higher sitting times compared to workers in shared offices [ 33 ].…”

“…during standing meetings. In this case, non-participants may negatively influence the results of the intervention – something that has been brought up by others who suggest the need for sitting time interventions to be implemented throughout the entire workplace [ 26 , 27 , 31 , 32 ] and be embedded in the organization and productive work [ 21 , 36 ].…”

Assessing the Feasibility and Pre-Post Impact Evaluation of the Beta (Test) Version of the BeUpstanding Champion Toolkit in Reducing Workplace Sitting: Pilot Study (Preprint)

“…The key adaption was the transfer of intervention implementation and evaluation from the research team to a workplace champion. This "train the champion" approach recognises that workplace champions, as the role models and drivers, are critical for successful and sustainable workplace change [11][12][13]. Notably, the translation of the Stand Up Australia intervention into a scalable and sustainable workplace health and safety program involves multiple phases [14].…”