Indicators of healthy work environments--a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Organizational Psychology
• Human Resources Management

Background:

• Defining and identifying indicators of healthy work environments is essential for employee well-being and organizational success.
• Existing literature often focuses on employee perceptions or provides guidelines rather than explicit indicators.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review scientific literature for indicators of healthy work environments.
• To synthesize findings on factors contributing to a positive and supportive workplace.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a systematic literature search across major national and international scientific databases.
• Screened 19,768 publications, applying inclusion criteria to select 24 peer-reviewed studies for review.

Main Results:

• Only one study directly identified an indicator: the presence of stress management programs.
• The review synthesized nine pronounced factors from employee perspectives and guidelines, including collaboration, individual growth, recognition, and leadership.
• Key factors identified were: collaboration/teamwork, growth and development, recognition, employee involvement, positive leadership, autonomy, appropriate staffing, skilled communication, and physical safety.

Conclusions:

• While explicit indicators are scarce, a consensus exists on factors contributing to healthy workplaces.
• Organizations should focus on fostering collaboration, supporting employee development, and ensuring fair recognition and leadership to promote well-being.