Health promotion in the workplace: what does it look like?
At regional and national levels, an excellent example of a health- promoting policy is the European Union’s framework directive (1989) which required Member States to include workplace health and safety provisions in their national legislation. (13) Additionally, the Department of Health and Children in Ireland recently developed a national strategy for WHP (1998).(14) In the workplace, management commitment to WHP can be expressed through investment in health and the development of a strong overall health policy which may include provisions for restricted smoking, prevention of alcohol abuse, and the establishment of a health and safety committee. A health-promoting workplace recognizes that people are its greatest resource and develops policies, systems and practices to ensure that the work environment supports good health and well-being.
