Implementing the Healthy Workplace Participatory Program in a retail work setting

Background: Retail workplaces have unique health risk factors that traditional workplace wellness approaches do not address. A participatory approach involving worker input in designing workplace health interventions may be effective in improving worker health. This study describes a participatory program conducted with retail workers at one store.

Methods: Using a model based on the Healthy Workplace Participatory Program (HWPP), we recruited a team of six retail workers (health team) to examine barriers to health and propose feasible workplace interventions. We will conduct a process evaluation to show the feasibility of conducting the program and the health team’s ability to develop interventions. Process measures will include meeting attendance, self-reported and observed team member engagement, number of interventions developed, feasibility of the interventions, and potential impact of the interventions.

Results: We formed the health team and are training them on the HWPP process. We used a human-centered design approach to illustrate worker health issues and contributing workplace factors. The health team has met three times to date, and will continue to meet regularly until they have developed and implemented at least one workplace health intervention. We are collecting process measures at every meeting.

Discussion:  We expect that the health team will successfully develop and implement at least one workplace health intervention within the next three months; we will conduct a formal process evaluation at that time. Our long term plan is to evaluate the impact of the program based on worker reported change in health attitudes and behaviors and health status.