Possibilities of applying organizational wellness programs

Globalization, industrialization, and information technology, along with extended sitting periods, have caused many health problems for employees, from lifestyle-related diseases to musculoskeletal disorders and mental health problems. For most people, work is an important determinant of life that is necessary for the survival and well-being of an individual. On the other hand, a high degree of productivity, motivation and commitment of employees is important to the employer. Workplace health promotion plays an important role in achieving good employee health. The World Health Organization emphasizes that the workplace is a primary environment for the promotion of health and well-being, including the provision of a safe and healthy physical and psychosocial work environment. In developed countries, various approaches to health promotion have been implemented through organizational wellness programs for many years. However, there are a number of limiting factors for the implementation, efficiency and effectiveness of a wellness program in the workplace. This is especially true for countries that do not have a long tradition of implementing wellness programs. In accordance with the growing needs of our society for workplace wellness programs to be more represented, the aim of this paper is to point out the importance and need for the planning, implementation and evaluation of wellness programs.