Barriers and Facilitators to Worksite Wellness Program Engagement: Content Analysis

Worksite wellness programs (WWPs) can improve employees’ physical and mental health, as well as work productivity. Yet engagement is often low and attrition high, limiting attainable benefits. The purpose of this research is to investigate perceived barriers and facilitators of employee engagement in WWPs to provide guidance on ways to increase retention and participation.

Methods

A comprehensive search of electronic databases PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science for relevant studies published in peer-reviewed journals through April 2023 was conducted. To be included, studies had to (a) be written in English, (b) be from the employee perspective, (c) assess either barriers and/or facilitators to engagement in a WWP, and (d) include adults ≥18 years. Common barrier and facilitator themes were derived through content analysis of included studies and reported based on frequency.

Results

A total of 4,013 studies were identified and 63 were included. Studies were conducted at locations such as large and small businesses, universities, hospitals, and military/police academies. Reported barriers were a lack of time, disinterest, inadequate incentives, lack of support, lack of communication, and distrust, as well as demographic factors, program issues, inconvenience, and personal health concerns. Reported participation facilitators included workplace and social support, demographic influences, intrinsic desire to improve health, diverse program offerings, desirable incentives, personalized programs, convenience, inclusivity, effective communication, and trust in the WWP.

Conclusion

Addressing employee barriers and facilitators, such as those highlighted in this review, could be an effective first step towards increasing engagement and retention in future iterations of WWPs.

Keywords: worksite wellness program; employee health; employee engagement; implementation science

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FIGURE 1.

Flow diagram of the entire selection process for studies included in this content analysis from start to finish. Specific reason for inclusion and exclusion of certain studies are also addressed in the diagram. WWP = worksite wellness programs.

FIGURE 2.

Bar chart showing the percentage of studies reporting each common barrier theme for the 52 studies that reported barriers.

FIGURE 3.

Bar chart showing the percentage of studies reporting each common facilitator theme for the 61 studies that reported facilitators.

Contributor Notes

Address for correspondence: Emmilee A. Woodbrey MS, RDN School of Nursing and Health Sciences Merrimack College, 315 Turnpike St, North Andover, MA 01845; (307) 749 1407; e-mail: emmileewoodbrey@gmail.com.

Conflicts of Interest and Source of Funding: None.