Comprehensive Needs Assessment for Workplace Health Promotion: A Case Study of the University of Bern

To understand the holistic state of work conditions, health and wellbeing of University of Bern employees through a social-ecological lens.

A comprehensive assessment included analysis of existing measures, stakeholder mapping, employee survey, expert interviews, a reflection and evaluation instrument, policy analysis, and environmental analysis.

Integrating results revealed that the University provides numerous employee health opportunities such as broad variety and frequency of university sports options, good working climate, ergonomic workplace, well-developed and centrally established communications department, extensive range of Bernese universities independent counselling center services, and some relevant health promotion policies. However, these opportunities are not integrated into a systematic health strategy. Further analyses indicated four fields of action: 1) to anchor health promotion in the university culture and organization; 2) to promote mental health, wellbeing, and stress management; 3) to improve health promotion communication; and 4) to ensure sustainability, to implement continuous process and outcome evaluation of the actions.

This could serve as a blueprint model for universities ensuring a holistic understanding of health and wellbeing, and informing related practical implications and organizational health governance.