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Workplace Well-Being

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
RAND Commentary Highlights from 2020
Dec 18, 2020
The roughly 400 op-eds and blog posts published by RAND researchers during the year reflected an enormous variety of expertise and perspectives, from remote education to election cybersecurity to the economic harms of racial disparities. Here are 10 highlights that landed in high-profile news outlets.
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Health Care Workforce
commentary
Elevating the Well-Being of Home Care Workers
Julia Rollison, Jason Michel Etchegaray @JasonEtchegaray
Dec 10, 2020
The RAND Blog
More than 2.3 million home care workers are responsible for caring for millions of Americans who are unable to fully care for themselves. It's worth considering policy options to provide them with better access to PPE, improved compensation, and formal recognition that their work is essential.
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Workplace Well-Being
commentary
It May Be Time to Rethink the Design of Jobs to Deliver Good Health for Workers
Chris Warhurst, Christian Van Stolk
Sep 25, 2020
Warwick Institute for Employment Research
Even before the COVID-19 crisis, the impact of poorly designed jobs on the health of workers was drawing attention. Now may be the time to fundamentally rethink the design of jobs so that they promote good health and lessen poor health and its costs.
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Workplace Well-Being
commentary
Managing the Challenge of Workforce Presenteeism in the COVID-19 Crisis
Christian Van Stolk, Michael Whitmore
Sep 25, 2020
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Presenteeism occurs when people work when in suboptimal health. Both presenteeism and absenteeism are key influences on workplace productivity, but presenteeism is by far the most significant. It's vital that employers identify and deal with presenteeism, for the health of their people as well as that of the organization.
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Workplace Well-Being
commentary
COVID-19 Brings Opportunity to Reassess Work Policies
William D. Phillips, Michael Whitmore
Aug 11, 2020
Employee Benefits
As certain COVID-19 restrictions lift, and life for some begins to return to a “new normal,” employers may have the opportunity to rebuild work policies to better support those employees who want to continue working from home. This could produce well-being benefits for employees, without compromising on, and often increasing, productivity.
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Social Services and Welfare
commentary
Long-Term Furloughs During COVID-19 Hold Risks for Employee Health and Well-Being
Carol Black, Christian Van Stolk
Jun 15, 2020
The Council for Work and Health
Governments around the world have offered furlough schemes to try to delay employers from making any restructuring decisions during the pandemic. The aims of such programs are laudable. But they may come with unintended consequences.
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Workplace Well-Being
commentary
It Is More Important Than Ever for Employers to Look After Staff Health and Wellbeing
Christian Van Stolk
Apr 9, 2020
The RAND Blog
COVID-19 will likely have a direct effect on the health and wellbeing of employees. While many employers responding to the COVID-19 crisis have understandably been concerned with business resilience, processes, and performance, it is important that they also continue to focus on the health and wellbeing of staff.
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Medical Professionals
commentary
Amidst a Pandemic, a Mental Health Crisis May Be Looming
Sangeeta C. Ahluwalia, Carrie M. Farmer @carriefarmer, Mahshid Abir
Apr 1, 2020
The RAND Blog
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care workers' mental health could be significant and may weaken the health care system's ability to resolve the crisis and survive over the long term. Interventions to promote psychological well-being should be implemented now.
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Mental Health and Illness
commentary
Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace
Michael Whitmore
Jan 13, 2020
Employee Benefits
Much of the mental health support provided by employers focuses on individual staff members, but it is equally important to consider how an organization itself may need to change to effectively support employees. If an organization is serious about improving staff mental health, assessing the working culture honestly and implementing appropriate changes could be one necessary step.
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q&a
Sexual Harassment in Today's Rapidly Changing Workplace
Sep 23, 2019
Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Carra Sims, a senior behavioral and social scientist, has studied sexual harassment in the workplace for over a decade. In this Q&A, she discusses the changes that have taken place in recent years and the issue of accountability in matrixed organizations and in the gig economy.
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Workplace Wellness Programs
commentary
How to Increase Participation in Workplace Health and Wellbeing Initiatives
Christian Van Stolk
May 10, 2018
Reward & Employee Benefits Association Annual Report
Many employers are actively looking at ways to improve health and well-being in their workplaces. Increasing employee participation in health and wellness programs requires strategies to address health risks, engagement with staff, and buy-in and support from management.
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Mental Health and Illness
commentary
Building Understanding of the Mental Health Challenges in the Construction Industry
Michael Whitmore, Joscelyne Shaw
Jan 11, 2018
Building Magazine
Employers looking to address mental health problems among staff must recognize the causes and understand mental health challenges within the organization. Construction workers could face greater risk than workers in other sectors, but awareness of support and help remains low.
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Sleep
commentary
How Businesses Can Take the Lead in Getting People to Sleep More
Marco Hafner, Wendy M. Troxel @wendytroxel
Dec 20, 2016
Thrive Global
Insufficient sleep is linked to lower productivity, which results in working days being lost each year. With a few simple measures, employers could help improve the health and well-being of staff, improve their bottom lines, and contribute to a growing economy.
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Workplace Wellness Programs
commentary
Measuring What Works: Workplace Well-Being
Michael Whitmore, Christian Van Stolk
Nov 28, 2016
CIPD
The link between productivity and well-being is recognized and increasingly accepted as a prerequisite of strong employer and employee performance. HR professionals and CEOs believe that high employee well-being means high staff engagement and a real intention to do well for the workforce.
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Workplace Wellness Programs
commentary
Claims of Wellness Cost Savings Are Overblown
Soeren Mattke
Jun 3, 2015
CFO Magazine
Workplace wellness has become a $6 billion industry in the United States. Employers hope wellness programs can help control health care costs, but they are having little if any effect on costs. Companies seeking a healthy ROI should target higher-risk employees.
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Workplace Wellness Programs
commentary
When It Comes to the Value of Wellness, Ask About Fairness, Not Just About Effectiveness
Soeren Mattke
Mar 18, 2015
Health Affairs Blog
Some hail workplace wellness programs as cost-effective means to better public health. Others question their value. Data show that both have a point.
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Workplace Wellness Programs
q&a
Quick Takes: Do Workplace Wellness Programs Make Business Sense?
Feb 20, 2014
The Health Care Blog
The press and trade publications strongly endorse workplace wellness programs as a good investment for employers. Soeren Mattke, a physician and RAND senior scientist, explains why his work tells a different story.
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Health Care Costs
commentary
Wellness Now, Value Later
Soeren Mattke, Kristin R. Van Busum
Jul 2, 2013
Modern Healthcare
Wellness programs do in fact reduce health risks, like smoking and obesity, write Soeren Mattke and Kristin Van Busum. But resulting cost savings could not be detected, especially when compared to the costs of the programs.
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