Expanding the Paradigm of Occupational Safety and Health: A New Framework for Worker Well-Being

Chari, Ramya, PhD; Chang, Chia-Chia, MPH, MBA; Sauter, Steven L., PhD; Petrun Sayers, Elizabeth L., PhD; Cerully, Jennifer L., PhD; Schulte, Paul, PhD; Schill, Anita L., PhD; Uscher-Pines, Lori, PhD

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: July 2018 - Volume 60 - Issue 7 - p 589–593

doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001330

Fast Track Article

Objective: This article describes the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) development of a conceptual framework for worker well-being. While well-being research is growing, there is a need to translate theoretical concepts into practical models for measurement and action.

Methods: Multidisciplinary literature reviews informed development of the worker well-being framework and major domains and subdomains. An expert panel helped prioritize constructs for measurement.

Results: The framework includes five domains and 20 subdomains and conceptualizes worker well-being as a subjective and objective phenomenon inclusive of experiences both within and beyond work contexts.

Conclusion: Well-being is a positive and unifying concept that captures multiple factors that contribute to workers’ health and quality of life. This work lays the foundation for larger well-being measurement efforts and will provide tools for NIOSH partners to help workers flourish.