Finding the right balance: the interface of work, health, and life

Introduction  Work-health-life balance seeks to understand and promote work environments and policies that result in healthier, more productive workers with reduced disease and injury and lower health care needs and costs. Health outcomes are related to decreased sense of control, lowered self-esteem, social isolation and increases in financial strain. Individuals who experience work stress and or heavy family demands are at elevated risk of poor mental health (non-psychotic), psychological strain, psychological distress, symptoms of depression and anxiety. Those sick-listed for mental health reasons tend to be absent for longer periods of time than those sick for other medical conditions. Work and family conflict occurs when role demands in one domain are incompatible with role demands in the other domain.    

Main ideas  Health is largely determined by factors outside of health care or benefits, is influenced by many aspects of work, and can influence many aspects of work:  satisfaction, turn-over, ability to fully engage in work. At work, policies around human resources issues, safety, contracting, commuting, pay, benefits, leave, supervisory style, and training can all affect health.  Policies are needed that address employee family care needs including shift work, overtime, child care, stress, and absenteeism. Enrichment strategies need to be developed.    

Conclusions  Health and Policies -approach integrates health considerations into organizational policy-making at all levels with the goal of improving population health. A healthy workplace is one in which workers and mangers collaborate to use a continual improvement process to protect and promote the health, safety and well-being of all wokers and the sustainability of the workplace by considering the psychosocial and physical environment, personal health, and community involvement.