Lauren McCaffrey is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral fellow within the Health CASCADE innovative training network. Her research investigates co-creator’s experiences and how it influences their participation and engagement in the co-creation process.
The Workplace Health Co-Creation Study focused on addressing sedentary behaviour among employees – a growing concern in the context of increasing desk-based jobs.
In a collaborative effort, a group of twelve employees from The Advocacy Project (TAP), a small-to-medium-sized enterprise in Glasgow, engaged in a co-creation process facilitated by Mira Vogelsang and myself. The goal was to develop an action plan to tackle sedentary behaviour in the workplace. This initiative placed a strong emphasis on incorporating the voices of employees, ensuring their central role in shaping the future of workplace health at TAP.
I spoke with Ann Lafferty, Business Director, about the impact of TAP’s involvement in the study. Ann shared that the organization is now in the process of drafting a new health and well-being policy – a development that was initiated through the co-creation workshops. Additionally, TAP has launched a health-oriented newsletter series, reaching not only all employees but also the Board, which consists of individuals from different organizations. The Board’s commitment to allowing dedicated time for employee health activities reflects a broader positive influence that extends beyond TAP’s workforce.
The focus on long-term planning during the co-creation workshops has paved the way for upcoming activities scheduled to launch in 2024. Ann described TAP to have adopted ‘a holistic approach to encourage a more active lifestyle’, recognizing the need for sustained efforts. Ann remarked on a notable outcome of the study: the establishment of a new health and well-being group. This group is led by an employee who actively participated in the co-creation process and has since been appointed as TAP’s ‘health and well-being champion’.
Ann revealed that the positive effects of this initiative have reached beyond the actively involved group members. Other employees have been inspired to make positive lifestyle adjustments, such as incorporating a daily walk during lunch, taking the stairs, and increasing step counts – examples provided by Ann. This holistic approach underscores the transformative potential of initiatives like the Workplace Health Co-Creation Study, demonstrating how a collaborative effort can positively impact both individual employees and the overall workplace culture.
The positive impact of TAP’s involvement highlights the importance of a co-creative, employee-centric, and holistic approach to promoting health and well-being in the workplace, with a focus on sustainability and long-term impact.
The significance of these findings lies not only in the immediate improvements but also in the long-term planning and sustainability embedded in the initiatives. The holistic approach adopted, encompassing physical activity, policy development, and employee engagement, underscores the comprehensive nature of effective workplace health strategies. As organizations increasingly grapple with the challenges of sedentary behaviour and well-being in the modern workplace, the lessons drawn from this study emphasize the need for co-creation approaches.
On behalf of our dedicated research team, I would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the employees at The Advocacy Project for their time and invaluable contributions and wish TAP continued success in their ongoing efforts to promote health and well-being in the workplace.
Are you inspired by TAP’s innovative changes? Get in touch with us at lauren.mccaffrey@gcu.ac.uk!