Framework for Health-Promoting Environments for Office Workers: Photovoice Study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Environmental Psychology
• Sociology of Work

Background:

• Office work is increasingly decentralized, with remote and hybrid models becoming prevalent post-COVID-19.
• Understanding health influences across various work environments is crucial for employee well-being.
• The shift necessitates an examination of factors impacting health beyond traditional office spaces.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify perceived health-supporting and hindering aspects of office work environments.
• To develop new quantitative research questions for modern work arrangements.
• To create a framework for analyzing health in diverse office settings.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative photovoice study was conducted with 17 office workers in Sweden.
• Participants used photos and comments to illustrate health influences in their work environments.
• Content analysis and adaptation of survey items were employed to meet study objectives.

Main Results:

• 70% of photos were taken at home, indicating a significant shift towards remote work.
• Identified aspects fall into environmental (space, ergonomics, technology, aesthetics) and behavioral (flexibility, focus, breaks, activity, diet) categories.
• Health impact varied by environment and individual conditions, with home office results showing high variability.

Conclusions:

• Office environments, including home offices, significantly impact employee health.
• Tailored, individualized health interventions are necessary for diverse work settings.
• The study provides a visual framework and survey tools for future research on sustainable, healthy work environments.