Worksite Wellness Culture: An Assessment of the Needs and Interests of the Faculty and Staff of a Mid-western State University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the wellness culture of a mid-western university and to identify the health needs and interests of the faculty and staff employed along with current awareness and use of wellness benefits provided to them. An electronic questionnaire addressing awareness of wellness benefits, participation in and utilization of the wellness benefits, wellness program interests, perceived support from leadership and the current wellness culture on campus was sent to faculty and staff over a 4-week period. 433 faculty and staff responded to the questionnaire (16.7% of average population). Knowledge of their eligibility for the current wellness programs was fair but utilization was low. An interest in wellness programs was evident, but both leadership and cultural support appear to be lacking on campus. The data collected provide support for further research and a proposal to leadership at the university to invest in an employee wellness program.