title: Stakeholder perspectives on workplace health promotion: a qualitative study of midsized employers in low-wage industries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Study goals were to (1) describe stakeholder perceptions of workplace health promotion (WHP) appropriateness, (2) describe barriers and facilitators to implementing WHP, (3) learn the extent to which WHP programs are offered to workers' spouses and partners and assess attitudes toward including partners in WHP programs, and (4) describe willingness to collaborate with nonprofit agencies to offer WHP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five 1.5-hour focus groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  The focus groups were conducted with representatives of midsized (100-999 workers) workplaces in the Seattle metropolitan area, Washington state.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four human resources professionals in charge of WHP programs and policies from five low-wage industries: accommodation/food services, manufacturing, health care/social assistance, education, and retail trade.
  
  
  METHODS
  A semistructured discussion guide.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative analysis of focus group transcripts using grounded theory to identify themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most participants viewed WHP as appropriate, but many expressed reservations about intruding in workers' personal lives. Barriers to implementing WHP included cost, time, logistical challenges, and unsupportive culture. Participants saw value in extending WHP programs to workers' partners, but were unsure how to do so. Most were willing to work with nonprofit agencies to offer WHP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Midsized, low-wage employers face significant barriers to implementing WHP; to reach these employers and their workers, nonprofit agencies and WHP vendors need to offer WHP programs that are inexpensive, turnkey, and easy to adapt.
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Research Center, Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, 98105, USA. peggyh@uw.edu
authors.forename: Peggy A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Hannon
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hammerback
authors.forename: Gayle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garson
authors.forename: Jeffrey R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Carrie J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Sopher
mesh_terms: D000288:Administrative Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016272:Occupational Health; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D009939:Organizations, Nonprofit; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014861:Washington