Occupational Health and Wellbeing: Challenges and Opportunities in Theory and Practice

247 Pages·2022·10.249 MB·English

by  Andrew Kinder, Rick Hughes, Cary L. Cooper

“This excellent book provides the reader with insights into the very latest
thinking and practice with regards to Occupational Health and Wellbeing.
Anyone wishing to advance the workplace wellbeing within their organisation,
will find this book and its actionable insights, invaluable.”
Dr David Roomes, Chief Medical Officer, Rolls-Royce
“The authors have brought together a very wide range of insights and research
from the fields of occupational health and wellbeing to provide practice gui­
dance to us all. This should be a major contribution to wellbeing strategies in
every organisation.”
Peter Cheese, Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Personnel and
Development (CIPD)
“This compilation is an essential resource for anyone concerned with people,
safety, and psychological security in the workplace. The editors have assembled
a world class team of global scholars and practitioners who are knowledgeable
authorities in their respective domains and locations.”
James Campbell Quick, Distinguished University Professor, Emeritus,
The University of Texas at Arlington,
USA Colonel,
United States Air Force (Ret.)
“This is a most refreshing and at times challenging book. It sees Occupational
Health as linked to the well-being of the worker. This linkage is a relatively new
and welcome proposition. It has been accelerated by the pandemic. Occupational
Health is now more visible and seen to be of critical importance to many more
employers. Occupational Health practices connected to well-being can be seen
to encompass a broader conceptualisation of prevention health promotion and
management of workplace hazards.”
Professor Dame Carol Black, Expert Adviser on Health & Work,
National Health Service England & Public Health England

Occupational Health and Wellbeing

This book bridges the gap between theory and practice, incorporating real-
world case studies to show how organisations and leaders can adapt after the
global unrest and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and more
recent challenges. Drawing from expert opinions across the world to highlight
the current challenges and opportunities within this sector, it explores how
these ideas can be effectively applied within the workplace.
The book covers a wealth of topical and relevant themes that include defining
wellbeing in a modern world, toxic leadership, mental health first aid, the application
of positive psychology, and what the ‘new normal’ might look like. Together, these
contributions offer a rich look into how Occupational Health and Wellbeing prac­
tices have developed, struggled and thrived. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many
organisations to adapt fast and became the most significant accelerator in recent times
for embracing, enhancing and improving employee health and wellbeing. Under­
standing this, the book demonstrates how Occupational Health and Wellbeing con­
tinues to rise on the corporate agenda as a key contributor to employee satisfaction,
engagement and retention, increased financial stability and overall organisational
success.
The book is essential reading for senior executives, leaders and professionals
involved in occupational health, human resources, health, safety and wellbeing,
people support, people development, employee assistance, counselling, as well
as students within organisational and occupational psychology.
Andrew Kinder is a Chartered Counselling and Chartered Occupational
Psychologist and is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society
(BPS). He is currently Professional Head of Mental Health Services at Optima
Health (part of the Marlowe Group).
Rick Hughes is a Wellbeing Consultant, Aberdeen, Scotland, having been
Head of Service of the University of Aberdeen Counselling Service and a Lead
Advisor for the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Professor Sir Cary Cooper is 50th Anniversary Professor of Organizational
Psychology and Health at the ALLIANCE Manchester Business School, Man­
chester, UK, and is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society.
Current Issues in Work and Organizational Psychology
Series Editor: Cary L. Cooper
Current Issues in Work and Organizational Psychology is a series of edited books
that reflect the state-of-the-art areas of current and emerging interest in the
psychological study of employees, workplaces and organizations.
Each volume is tightly focused on a particular topic and consists of seven to ten
chapters contributed by international experts. The editors of individual volumes
are leading figures in their areas and provide an introductory overview.
Example topics include: digital media at work, work and the family, workaholism,
modern job design, positive occupational health and individualised deals.
Burnout While Working: Lessons from Pandemic and Beyond
Edited by Michael P. Leiter and Cary L. Cooper
Occupational Health and Wellbeing: Challenges and Opportunities in
Theory and Practice
Edited by Andrew Kinder, Rick Hughes and Cary L. Cooper
Flexible Work: Designing Our Healthier Future Lives
Edited by Sarah H. Norgate & Cary L. Cooper
Current Issues in Work and Organizational Psychology
Edited by Cary L. Cooper
Organizational Change: Psychological Effects and Strategies for
Coping
Edited by Maria Vakola and Paraskevas Petrou
The Psychology of Humor at Work
Edited by Christopher Robert
For more information about this series, please visit: https://www.routledge.
com/Current-Issues-in-Work-and-Organizational-Psychology/book-series/
CURRENTISSUES
Occupational Health and
Wellbeing
Challenges and Opportunities in Theory
and Practice
Edited by
Andrew Kinder, Rick Hughes and
Cary Cooper
Designed cover image: © Getty Images
First published 2023
by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 selection and editorial matter, Andrew Kinder, Rick Hughes and
Cary Cooper; individual chapters, the contributors
The right of Andrew Kinder, Rick Hughes and Cary Cooper to be identified
as the authors of the editorial material, and of the authors for their individual
chapters, has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered
trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without
intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record has been requested for this book
ISBN: 978-1-032-00138-8 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-00136-4 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-17289-5 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003172895
Typeset in Bembo
by Taylor & Francis Books
Contents

List of figures ix
Acknowledgements x
List of contributors xi
PART I
The Challenges of Occupational Health 1
1 Defining the Landscape, What Is Occupational Health and What Are
the Key Challenges in Modern Workplaces Related to Wellbeing? 3
ANDREW KINDER, RICK HUGHES AND CARY COOPER
2 Managing Wellbeing: New, and Old Challenges for Organisations 8
GORDON TINLINE AND SHAUN DAVIS
3 Are Organisations Inherently Toxic?: An Exploration of Executive
Toxicity, Workplace Bullying and Destructive Workplace Cultures 21
DANIELA PAUKNEROVA, KATERINA ZABRODSKA AND MICHAEL WALTON
4 Triggering Toxic Leadership: Risks to Employee Wellbeing when
the Leader’s Intentions Are Blocked, Denied or Thwarted 38
MICHAEL WALTON
5 Miscarriage: The Next Challenge for Contemporary Workplaces 50
ALYSSA GROCUTT AND JULIAN BARLING
PART II
The Business Imperatives to Manage Wellbeing in the
Workplace Effectively 67
6 The Machine Can See You Now: Considering the Use of
Technology and Innovation to Extend Capacity and Capability to
Deliver Health and Wellbeing Support 69
STEVE BOORMAN
viii Contents
7 The Business Case for Managing Wellbeing Effectively within the
Healthcare Sector in the UK: A Review of What Works 79
ZOFIA BAJOREK AND STEPHEN BEVAN
8 Mental Health: A Twenty-First Century Imperative for Workplace
Wellbeing 95
JAMES CAMPBELL QUICK, JOANNE H. GAVIN AND DAVID J. GAVIN
PART III
New Understandings on How to Boost the Occupational
Health and Wellbeing of Employees 107
9 Difference, Dissent, Discussion and Disagreement: Diversity Means
Nothing Unless we Create Cultures that Are Safe for All of These,
Not from Them 109
SIMON FANSHAWE
10 Employee Assistance Programs in a Changing World: The
Australasian Experience 124
ROBERT COMPTON AND JOHN MCMANUS
11 The New Kid on The Block: A Review of Mental Health First
Aid as a Workplace Mental Health Intervention 137
SUSANNAH ROBERTSON-HART
12 Positive Psychology Interventions and Employee Wellbeing:
When and for Whom Are they Effective? 150
DEIRDRE O’SHEA, ANNEKATRIN HOPPE, ALEXANDRA MICHEL,
M. GLORIA GONZÁLEZ-MORALES AND ANNA STEIDLE
13 Coping in the New World: The Challenges of the ‘New Normal’
of Work and Life 166
PHILIP DEWE
14 Workplace Mediation and the Links to Occupational Health and
Wellbeing 181
TONY BUON AND RENU RAJ
15 Engagement Through Disruption: Rhetoric, Reality and
‘Reimagining’ Wellbeing at Work 194
TONY DUNDON, DEIRDRE O’SHEA, JEAN MCCARTHY AND
MARILENA PAGONI
Index 212
Figures

2.1 Levels of wellbeing intervention 9

4.1 Leadership expectations and myths 40

4.2 Moving together, congruent dynamics 43

4.3 Moving apart, antagonistic dynamics 43

4.4 Four determinants of behaviour 44

4.5 Four ‘types’ of leadership behaviour 46

8.1 Mental Health Model: Protection and Preventative Management 98