Workplace health promotion: Benefit or burden to low-paid workers

This paper explores the implications of workplace health promotion, particularly in relation to the needs of people in low-paid employment. The paper draws on research carried out during 1995 involving a telephone survey of 101 employing organizations in the Avon area of England. The influence of organizational factors such as size and business sector on health activity in the workplace were examined, together with perceptions about the take up of workplace health promotion by people in low-paid employment. The survey also explored the extent of professional and worker involvement in planning workplace health activity. Case study research explored the links between occupational health provision and health promotion activity in three different workplaces. Implications of the research for policy and practice are discussed. © 1998 Carfax Publishing Ltd