Work Programs that Influence the Home

What is this Tool?

Programs run in the workplace to influence people at home, or while commuting between home and work.

Why Would You Use It?

Workplace promotional programs represent an additional way of reaching people and offer some particular advantages. For example, it may be easier to find ways of increasing the visibility of participation and norm appeal; to collect certain types of information (e.g., self-reported information); and to provide individual and group feedback.

Note for health promoters.

When Would You Use It?

  • the targeted activities begin or end at work (e.g., commuting practices), and/or
  • the targeted behaviours are done both at work and at home (e.g., composting and recycling).

How Would You Use It?

 
1. Learning from Other Programs.

Examples

Your Program

 

Learning From Other Programs

Sector Case Studies
environmental health, transportation, climate change  The Clean Air Commute, Go Boulder,Calgary's Workshift,  Love to Ride, Maryland and Virginia Telework, Nortel Networks' GreenCommute, Oregon's Air Quality Public Education and Incentive Program, Ottawa's Commuter Challenge, Vancouver's Employee Trip Reduction Program, Spare the Air
energy, climate change Boston's Challenge for Sustainability, Class5 Energy, Cool Choices, Green$aver, Port of San Diego, "Taking Off? Turn Us Off" Office Computer Pilot, Way to Save Burlington! 
 

Drivers of Workplace Behaviors

Based on a literature review, Fatoki describes ten determinants of workplace behavior. While this work focused on energy-related habits and small firms, it's findings are likely relevant to most environmentally-related behaviors and a wide range of work settings.

  1. Intrinsic benefit (enjoyment)
  2. Extrinsic benefit (workplace rewards)
  3. Organizational benefit (e.g. benefits through cost savings, customer and employee attraction and retention, improved environmental performance, and sustained competitive advantage)
  4. Social benefit
  5. Environmental benefit
  6. Leader's electricity saving behaviour
  7. Leadership support
  8. Attitude towards energy/transportation/the environmental issue of concern
  9. Intention
  10. Green psychological climate (perception and interpretation of employees about organisational practices, policies, and procedures and practices with respect to the environment)

Note for health promoters.

The work setting is one of the key sectors or systems in a community, and is often part of comprehensive health promotion strategies.