Evaluating the Health Benefits of Workplace Policies and Practices - Phase II

Although the prevalence of "family-friendly" policies in US workplaces has increased dramatically in recent years, few have been studied using scientifically sound designs. To address this critical gap, the NIH and CDC formed the Work, Family, and Health Network (WFHN). During Phase 1, the WFHN designed and conducted multiple pilot and feasibility studies.

For Phase 2, the WFHN implemented an innovative intervention based on Phase 1 pilot studies that is designed to increase family-supportive supervisor behaviors and employee control over work, and to evaluate the intervention using a group randomized experimental design. The goal of the study is to assess the effects of a workplace intervention designed to reduce work-family conflict, and thereby improve the health and well being of employees. The study intervention is grounded in theory from multiple disciplines and supported by findings from pilot/feasibility studies. The study seeks to inform the implementation of evidence-based, family-friendly policies, and thereby improving the health and well-being of employees and their families nationwide.

The investigators assess the efficacy of the intervention via two independent, group-randomized field experiments, one at each of two employers representing different industries, referred to by alias as "LEEF" and "TOMO". LEEF is an extended care (nursing home) company and facilities were excluded if they were in very isolated settings, if there were fewer than 30 direct patient-care employees, or if facilities were recently acquired. TOMO is an Information Technology company. Within each industry partner, worksites of 50-120 employees each were randomly assigned to intervention or usual practice conditions. All employee and supervisor participants were assessed at baseline and at 6-, 12-, and 18-months post baseline, including survey interviews and health assessments.

Primary health outcomes were comprised of a cardiometabolic risk score using selected biomarkers and sleep duration and quality objectively measured using wrist actigraphy. These primary health outcomes were independently assessed as change from baseline to the 12-month wave, and separately in the two industries.