Physical and Mental Health at Work

Most adults spend about a third of their lives at work, making experiences within the workplace an important element in employees’ mental and physical health. This chapter draws from theory and empirical findings in the occupational health psychology literature to survey factors that positively and negatively affect employee well-being. For instance, stress at work and the burnout that ensues can profoundly affect cardiovascular disease, cancers, and all-cause mortality, among other outcomes, through overactive inflammation. Although positive health outcomes from work are less studied, this chapter discusses potential psychological benefits from work, including increased feelings of competence and life satisfaction, which may buffer stress. Finally, this chapter reviews several health improvement interventions and other changes that leaders can make to benefit their workers’ health, including delivering physical activity interventions, encouraging lunchtime breaks, offering flexible work hours, and providing social support. The chapter also includes a list of additional readings.