The Use of Robots in the Workplace: Conclusions from a Health Promoting Intervention Using Social Robots.

Area of Science:

• Human-Robot Interaction
• Organizational Psychology
• Digital Health

Background:

• Workplace wellness programs aim to reduce healthcare costs and enhance organizational outcomes.
• Social robots offer personalized feedback and counseling, potentially surpassing traditional telemedicine.
• Investigating novel interventions for health behavior change in occupational settings is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of a health-promoting intervention delivered by a social robot versus a human agent.
• To assess the impact on employee productivity, mental well-being, and work engagement.
• To explore the potential of social robots in fostering therapeutic relationships within the workplace.

Main Methods:

• A health-promoting intervention involving eight sessions was conducted.
• Fifty-six participants from two Portuguese organizations were divided into two groups: robot-guided and human-guided.
• The intervention focused on encouraging health behavior change and promoting a healthier lifestyle.

Main Results:

• The robot-guided group showed significantly better post-intervention scores in productivity (despite presenteeism) and mental well-being compared to the human-guided group.
• No significant differences in work engagement levels were observed between the two groups.
• The study demonstrated the feasibility of using social robots for employee well-being initiatives.

Conclusions:

• Social robots can be effective agents for workplace health interventions, enhancing specific employee outcomes.
• This research contributes to understanding human-robot interaction in therapeutic and supportive workplace contexts.
• Further research is warranted to explore the long-term impact and broader applications of social robots in occupational health.