Towards a healthy organisation model: the relevance of empowerment

Abstract

After a review of publications on the emerging concept of Healthy Organisations, we contribute a conceptual model of workplace health improvement based on empowerment strategies to promote worker participation, autonomy and control in the organisation. We propose that structural strategies can increase the engagement and organisa tional commitment of employees, but only if they truly feel in possession of power and autonomy, and that this psychological empowerment also facilitates the development of healthy organisational practices. Achievement of both types of empowerment could improve the work climate, psychological well-being and performance of emplo yees and lead to reductions in absenteeism and staff turnover.