Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in a flexible office-based workplace : Employee perceptions and priorities for change

Journal article


Olsen, Heidi M., Brown, Wendy J., Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy and Burton, Nicola W.. (2018). Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in a flexible office-based workplace : Employee perceptions and priorities for change. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. 29(3), pp. 344-352. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.164
AuthorsOlsen, Heidi M., Brown, Wendy J., Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy and Burton, Nicola W.
Abstract

Issue addressed
Many Australian employees now regularly work from home in some capacity. This new way of working has not been widely studied in relation to the potential implications for employees’ health-related behaviour or workplace health promotion. The aim of this study was to explore office-based employees’ perceptions of the impact of flexible work on physical activity and sedentary behaviour; and preferences for associated interventions.

Methods
Three focus groups were conducted with office-based employees (n = 28) 6 months after the introduction of a flexible work policy. A semi-structured interview format with open-ended questions was used with summary statements to check understanding. Sessions were audiotaped, and dominant themes were identified. Findings on intervention preferences were interpreted using a social cognitive framework. An overview of results was provided to a group of managers (n = 9) for comment.

Results
Employees reported that physical activity was not impacted, but sedentary behaviour had increased, with flexible work. Intervention preferences focussed on occupational sedentary behaviour, self-regulation, prompts and social connections, and not the physical work environment. Managers agreed with employees’ preferences and also wanted interventions to be sustainable.

Conclusion
Self-directed interventions with social components and targeting occupational sedentary behaviour were more acceptable than physical activity interventions in this flexible workplace.

So what?
Health promotion for workplaces with flexible work practices may benefit from prioritising strategies that promote self-regulation and social connections rather than being linked to the physical worksite.

Keywordsphysical activity; qualitative methods; workplaces
Year2018
JournalHealth Promotion Journal of Australia
Journal citation29 (3), pp. 344-352
PublisherWiley
ISSN1036-1073
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.164
PubMed ID29668070
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85047599915
Open accessPublished as green open access
Page range344-352
Author's accepted manuscript
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Open
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online15 May 2018
Publication process dates
Accepted09 Apr 2018
Deposited21 Jun 2023
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