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Data Collection

Computer keyboard One of the key features of a workplace health assessment will be to gather data in a way that respects the time and multiple responsibilities of employees in a worksite. Hence, the assessment process places considerable emphasis on utilizing existing data sources. Not only does this reduce response burden, but working with existing data sources to support analysis can help to build the capability of worksite staff in their own use of existing data.

For those employers, particularly small and medium sized employers, where a review of these data sources is not feasible or practical due to time or resource limitations, other aspects of a workplace health assessment such as employee health surveys or environmental assessments can provide some indication of the health needs, issues, and barriers of employees and provide a foundation from which to plan and implement the workplace health program.

The potential sources of additional data are shown in the table below. The table is structured to show the broad class of information that might be gathered to inform a workplace health assessment – indicated as row headings in bold.

The table shows (in Column 1) the indicators that might be assessed, and then (in Column 2) the data elements that might support this type of assessment.

For example, the first broad class of information will be: Workforce Background. Within this class, there are a number of employee demographic characteristics available. Column 3 indicates the strata or level at which data might be gathered. Workforce Demographic information can be used to tailor and communicate information and interventions to specific target or high-risk groups improving the effectiveness and efficiency of program resources. For example, program coordinators may want to target promotion of a worksite screening campaign to employees recommended for the screening based on age or gender.  In addition, general information on employee’s education, race, ethnicity or cultural background will help develop messages and materials that are culturally competent and are at an appropriate level of health literacy.    

Proposed Data Collection from Additional Data Sources

 

Indicator Data Elements Strata
Workforce Background
Employee Demographics Demographics
    Age (mean and distribution)
    Gender
    Race/Ethnicity
    Marital status
    Education		 By worksite  
By unit
Employment Characteristics Length at worksite (mean and distribution)
Part time/full time		 By worksite  
By unit
Job characteristics/Work Schedules Shifts (duration, time of day, swing)
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) contain information that describes the short and long-term health effects, physical and chemical properties, flammability, safety hazards, and emergency response procedures in case of overexposure of products used in industry. MSDS are available to the employer through the product’s manufacturer or supplier. This information should be use to train employees about the materials they are working with and clearly label the products to bring attention and awareness to the health and safety risks the product may pose		 By worksite  
By unit
Organizational Structure Organizational chart By worksite
By unit
Health Benefits
Self-insured Worksite self-insured;
Community rated,
Percentage community rated		  
Eligibility and  Annual Premiums to Employees Eligibility for coverage
    Full time
    Part-time
    Dependents
Cost of coverage (to employees)		  
Health Coverage Benefits   Percent of coverage for:
Hospitalization
Emergency care
Out-patient visits
Mental health counseling
Substance abuse treatment
Maximum out of pocket per year		  
Preventive Health Services Out of pocket costs for:
   Physical exam (annual)
   Colorectal cancer screening
   Mammography
   Immunizations
   Smoking cessation
   Counseling for obesity
   Counseling for diabetes		  
Coverage for  Bariatric Surgery Coverage for:
    Bariatric surgery		  
Medication Coverage Coverage of medications
Co-pay amount
Maximum out of pocket		  
Cessation Medications Coverage of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) (and co-pays)    
Dental Coverage Percent of coverage & annual limit of coverage for:
Dental care
Dental cleanings/exams  		  
Other Benefits
Vacation Time Vacation/Paid overtime By worksite
Overtime   By unit
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Data utilization of company services such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) may be useful when designing and evaluating a program. Use of an EAP – whether it is designed to distribute educational materials, as a hotline for questions and answers, or as a counseling service – can show areas in which employees have issues or special needs.

Use of such a program also demonstrates the fact that employees have stressors outside their daily work routine. Employers may be able to help resolve some of these stress issues through workplace health policies and programs (and further reduce absenteeism, health claims, etc.).

 Coverage/availability
Use by service		 By worksite
Fitness Facility Subsidies Amount of subsidy By worksite
By unit
Incentives for Health Behavior Percent of employees receiving & cost per employee of incentives/surcharges for :
Tobacco use
Participation in health programs
Attainment of health goals		 By worksite
By unit
Use of Fitness Centers

Employee usage of a company gym or workout facility may show health interests, particularly physical activity interests, and demonstrate how many employees are seeking (or conversely, how many employee are not seeking) currently offered physical activity opportunities.
The assessment can look at:
The number and type of participants
Trends in participation (e.g., length and frequency)
When the facility is busy and not
Specific classes and programs offered in the facility and their popularity
Per participant (i.e., employees actively using the service) and per employee (i.e., total number of employees for which the service was made available) costs of maintaining and staffing the facility

This information is useful in designing a program to target specific groups of employees or to better market the programs and services offered.

 Percentage of employees/ and cost per employee receiving subsidy for participation in fitness centers
Other incentives		 By worksite
By unit
Time Away from Work Data Excused/unexcused absences and detail By worksite   By unit  
Workplace Governance
Health Promotion Budget Line item budget By worksite   By unit
Employee Wellness Committee Number of participating employees; number of hours dedicated to committee activities By worksite   By unit
Health-Related Policies

Presence or absence of policies such as telecommuting, flexible work hours/schedules, no tobacco use, healthy foods at meetings

 Company policy handbook By worksite   By unit

A summary compilation of this additional data often provides a valuable descriptive summary that can assist in the design or refinement of a broader workplace health program.

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