Workplace Wellbeing

Module description

Workforces today are threatened by ageing and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which are affected by lifestyle choices – including cancer, cardiovascular and chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes and mental ill-health. In parallel, demand for human capital is rising as economies grow and mature, and significant talent gaps of up to 45 million employees in Western Europe alone are forecast for 2030. These two trends form a vicious circle of dwindling workforce capacity and productivity.

There is now compelling evidence linking health and well-being to employee engagement, organisational productivity, talent retention and creativity and innovation. We need a broader understanding of promoting wellbeing in the workplace.

This module will start from the assumption of redefining wellbeing – as a state of being that is shaped by engagement and other workplace factors as much as by physical and psychological health, hence making wellbeing central to business strategy,    which opens an important new avenue to increasing organisational effectiveness. As the post-recession world economy slowly takes shape, those organisations that choose to follow this path are more likely to boost workforce productivity, drive business performance and realise core strategic goals.

In this module we examine the political agenda that is driving how modern businesses approach employee wellbeing and responsible business practice, the extent to which a biopsychosocial approach is a critical factor in developing strategies to address the challenges of the future

Full module specification

Module aims

This module aims to provide learners with a broad understanding of the workplace as a complex system and the fundamentals of how investing in workplace wellbeing and responsible business practices contribute to business success.

Students will gain a good understanding of how government policy drives this agenda and why it is has global significance. The module will introduce relevant theory that underpins successful interventions, models to identify the issues which need addressing and equip students with the tools to implement their own programmes.

ILO: Module-specific skills

• 1. explain the policy drivers from the UK Government;
• 2. identify the evidence base and business case for workplace wellbeing;
• 3. develop a global perspective;
• 4. explain the role of the leader in workplace wellbeing;
• 5. apply a biopsychosocial approach to wellbeing at work;
• 6. articulate the concept of the workplace as a ‘whole complex system’ and describe how to identify the needs of the workforce to inform strategies;
• 7. summarise the main causes of absence and ill health amongst working populations;
• 8. examine the future challenges to workplace wellbeing and health;
• 9. examine the models and frameworks that address workplace wellbeing and apply them in practical settings;
• 10. describe the tools available to support leaders to implement successful programmes.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

• 11. use critical analysis skills to discuss policy decisions;
• 12. apply, as directed relevant models and use data effectively in workplace settings;
• 13. apply the skills learned in a practical session;
• 14. critically reflect on Personal and KeyTransferable Employment Skills and Knowledge;
• 15. explore the notion of the ‘sustainable self’;

ILO: Personal and key skills

• 16. advance written communication skills;
• 17. demonstrate problem solving skills;
• 18. practice communication and cognitive skills in the effective management of people.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

A student will be referred in all components if the student fails the module with a mark of below 40% overall.

A student if deferred in a single component will be reassessed in that component only.

Syllabus plan

• Introduction to Workplace Wellbeing
• Government Policy – the journey so far in the UK and Globally
• The evidence base and business case
• Using the biopsychosocial approach to workplace wellbeing and people management
• The workplace as a whole system and applying complexity theory and health needs assessment
• How leadership impacts wellbeing and the role of the leader
• The main reasons for absence in the UK and globally
• The future challenges for employers
• The models and theories for workplace wellbeing
• Leading wellbeing and health at work
• Case studies
• Workplace Health Promotion and successful interventions

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

In addition students will also have access to The European Centre for Environment & Human Health (ECEHH) as this module will be delivered by academics from UofE Medical School, based at the Truro Campus

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=5904

Origin date

18/02/2019

Last revision date

04/03/2021