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Workplace well-being in the London-Chinese business community

Marcello Bertotti (Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London, London, UK)
Ifeoma Elizabeth Dan-Ogosi (Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London, London, UK)
Mala Rao (Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK)

International Journal of Workplace Health Management

ISSN: 1753-8351

Article publication date: 3 April 2017

498

Abstract

Purpose

Workplace well-being is key to improving health and therefore productivity. Although the Chinese population and their influence on business in the UK are growing rapidly, little is known about the attitudes of Chinese employers and employees towards workplace well-being. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a qualitative study to explore the views of Chinese employees and employers in London and interviewed occupational health and workplace well-being experts.

Findings

Employers’ understanding of workplace well-being was limited, their approach was reactive rather than proactive. Contextual factors hampered most efforts towards workplace well-being. Employees reported that working conditions were generally poor with likely implications for employees’ physical and mental health. Generational and migratory changes further complicate the scenario but potentially usher in positive change.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted in a London area with a high density of Chinese businesses. The study nevertheless covered only a limited selection of business sectors. Caution may therefore be necessary in assuming the transferability of these findings to other parts of the UK.

Practical implications

Chinese businesses are agreeable to being informed about and considering the business case for workplace well-being. Chinese workers need better working conditions, easier access to health services preferably delivered through Chinese-based networks of community and business associations which are trusted by both employers and employees.

Originality/value

This study offers novel evidence on the attitude of Chinese employers and employees towards workplace well-being by comparing views from both groups. Chinese people face considerable health and mental health problems through their work environment, in contrast with conclusions from the Health Survey for England and Labour Force Survey.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contribution made by the employers and employees of Chinese descent who participated in this research. The authors also thank the opinion leaders for their help during the early stages of development of the proposal, their advice, guidance, and suggestions during the course of their study and for commenting on drafts of the report. The authors also wish to put on record their appreciation of the valuable and enthusiastic support provided to the study by the Chinese National Healthy Living Centre and to Westminster Council for their helpful comments. Last but not least, the authors wish to thank Public Health England for funding this study. Their contribution was only limited to funding the research, they did not contribute to any other aspects of this research.

Citation

Bertotti, M., Dan-Ogosi, I.E. and Rao, M. (2017), "Workplace well-being in the London-Chinese business community", International Journal of Workplace Health Management, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 86-100. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-05-2016-0035

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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