According to the Luxembourg Declaration, workplace health promotion (WHP) is the combined efforts
of employers, workers and society to improve the health and wellbeing of people at work. This can be
achieved by: improving work organisation and the work environment; promoting the active
participation of all stakeholders in the process; and encouraging personal development. It is important
to note that WHP aims to be a complementary support for, but not a replacement of, workplace risk
management. Proper risk management is an essential foundation for a successful WHP programme.
Regarding actual participation in WHP activities, the literature suggests that the number of participants
often tends to be rather low once the WHP project is actually in progress. Therefore, it is pertinent to
investigate how organisations are able to motivate their employees to participate in WHP activities in
both the short- and long term. At the same time it should be kept in mind that employee participation in
health promotion activities is totally voluntary.
The aim of this report was to conduct a review of the available literature to identify the motivating
factors for employees to participate in WHP. This knowledge can be used to improve WHP
programmes and, consequently, the participation rates. The findings section of the report is divided
into two key areas. The first section outlines and describes some of the key findings from the literature
concerning workers’ motivation to participate in WHP; and the second examines the contributory role
diversity may play in worker participation and recruitment