The December CoHealth TweetChat generated a lively discussion about workplace stress (read a recap here). Some participants -notably, Dr. David Ballard from the American Psychological Association - cited the impact organizational structure and job design have on employee stress. For those interested in learning more about this model, we’ve posted the following excerpt from Bob Merberg’s The Health Seeker’s Handbook (Well Lit Books, 2003). In future posts, we’ll provide additional resources related to this essential concept in employee stress.

The primary reason that worksite wellness programs in the United States have failed to live up to their original promise — building a healthier, more productive workforce and reduced health care costs — is because these programs have focused on individual health behaviors with total disregard for the maladies and health-risks that are intrinsic to the organization itself. CEOs can be sold on the idea that their employees’ behaviors must change, but they refuse to assess the manner in which they treat those employees.

Over the last 30 years, a strong body of scientific evidence has emerged supporting the idea that employee health is driven largely by Read the rest of this entry »