Management of Workplace Health
20 credits
To effectively manage workplace health and wellbeing we need a shared understanding of these concepts. This module explores the definition and measurement of workplace, health, and wellbeing. Approaches to the identification of new and emerging risks and opportunities are considered alongside strategies for the prioritisation and targeting of workplace health and wellbeing activities.
Work-related Psychosocial Risk
20 credits
Work-related stress, depression, or anxiety accounts for half of all work-related ill health and working days lost due to work-related ill health in the UK. The management of psychosocial risk is central to the activity of workplace health and wellbeing practitioners.
By the end of this module, students will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of (i) :
- the scale of work-related stress, depression, and anxiety and the need for its management, (ii)
- leading theoretical models that provide an explanatory framework for work-related psychosocial risk, (iii)
- the presentation and interpretation of data concerning links between psychosocial working conditions and health and wellbeing, (iv)
- the application of psychological theories of the management of psychosocial risk, and (v)
- legislation concerning the management of psychosocial risk and guidance to help organisations fulfil their legal duties
Sickness-related Attendance Behaviour
20 credits
This module introduces sickness-related attendance behaviours, namely sickness absence, sickness presence (presenteeism), and leaveism (using annual leave to mask sickness).
This module introduces sickness-related attendance behaviours, namely sickness absence, sickness presence (presenteeism), and leaveism (using annual leave to mask sickness). The module considers the extent of these phenomena in working populations, their definition and measurement, determinants, consequences, and management.
Contemporary Issues in Workplace Health
20 credits
The world of work is constantly evolving, as are the risks and opportunities to workforce health and wellbeing. This module considers a range of contemporary issues facing workplace health and wellbeing practitioners and explores the role of theory and scientific evidence in understanding and managing these.
Research and Evaluation Methods
20 credits
Knowledge and skills relating to research methods and data analysis is are central to professional practice in workplace health and wellbeing. This module seeks to foster a community of researcher- practitioners who are able to collect, analyse, interpret, and draw informed conclusions on qualitative and quantitative data in order to make recommendations on actions to protect and promote workers’ health and wellbeing. Teaching on this module recognises that these concepts are, for many, new and no prior knowledge is assumed.
Promotion of Workplace Health and Wellbeing
20 credits
A healthy workforce is a productive workforce, and the workplace provides an ideal context to promote health. This module considers the business case for workplace health promotion, introduces contemporary psychological theories of behaviour change, and explores how these theories provide an understanding of workers’ behaviours and inform the design of interventions to encourage healthy choices.
Applied Research Project: Theory and Practice
60 credits
At the end of Year 2, upon successful completion of the six 20-credit taught modules, you may accept the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Workplace Health and Wellbeing or progress to a third year of study during which you undertake a research project that spans the academic year. This module provides an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge acquired during the taught part of the course to design, conduct, analyse, and write up a piece of real-world research that has the potential to make a positive impact on workplace health and wellbeing.
Projects cover an enormous range of topics, reflecting learners’ interests and professional focus. Most learners undertake a study in their own place of work or that of a customer, colleague, or family member. Those without access to an organisation typically use social media contacts to obtain a participant sample or conduct a secondary analysis of publicly available data. The research project module culminates with an online conference where learners present their research findings to the wider MSc Workplace Health and Wellbeing community.