• University of Exeter Business School
• Module

Workplace Wellbeing

Module description

Remote working, physical and mental ill-health, work-life balance, toxic workplace environments, leadership and culture are critical factors which organisations must consider in order to create positive work spaces.  In parallel, an aging population in the UK, rising demand for human capital, and significant talent gaps which are forecast for Western economies are additional incentives for improving the wellbeing, engagement and productivity of workers.

This makes it necessary to develop broader understanding both of policies and practices which support positive work spaces, as well as the actions which detriment them.

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, social and philosophical dimensions behind modern business approaches to 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

Module aims - intentions of the module

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, perspectives on happiness at work and social capital development, as well as the role of leaders and culture in enabling and preventing negative acts. 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.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. describe workplace wellbeing from a social, cultural, legal and economic perspective.
• 2. examine the philosophical roots of workplace happiness.
• 3. apply a biopsychosocial approach to develop human and social capital.
• 4. explain and explore the role of leadership in the workplace.
• 5. articulate the concept of the ‘work environment’.
• 6. evaluate causes and impacts of workplace conflict.
• 7. outline the role of workplace culture.
• 8. examine the HRM models and frameworks that inform workplace practice.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 9. critically analyse policy decisions
• 10. apply, as directed relevant models and use data effectively in workplace settings

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 11. advance written communication skills
• 12. demonstrate problem solving skills
• 13. effectively work individually and as part of a group

Syllabus plan

• Introduction to the module and wellbeing
• Happiness at work
• Social Capital at Work
• The Role of Managers and Leaders
• The Work Environment
• Introducing Negative Acts
• Understanding Culture
• HRM approaches and perspectives
• Contemporary issues and innovations

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.

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

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

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

Key words search

Wellbeing, Workplace, Employee, Work, Health, Performance Management, Organisations