Objective Many companies in Japan have been increasingly interested in “health and productivity management (H&PM).” In terms of H&PM, we hypothesized that companies can enhance their employees’ perceived workplace health support (PWHS) by supporting workers’ lively working and healthy living. This could then improve their health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) by increasing PWHS. Consequently, this study explored the relationship between PWHS and HRQOL. Methods In December 2020, during the COVID‐19 pandemic, we conducted an Internet‐based nationwide health survey of Japanese workers (CORoNaWork study). A database of 27 036 participants was created. The intensity of PWHS was measured using a four‐point Likert scale. We used multilevel ordered logistic regression to analyze the relationship between PWHS intensity and the four domains of the Centers for Disease Control's HRQOL‐4 (self‐rated health, number of poor physical health days, number of poor mental health days, and activity limitation days during the past 30 days). Results In the sex‐ and age‐adjusted and multivariate models, the intensity of PWHS significantly affected self‐rated health and the three domains of unhealthy days (physical, mental, and activity limitation). There was also a trend toward worse HRQOL scores as the PWHS decreased. Conclusions We found that the higher the PWHS of Japanese workers, the higher their self‐rated health and the fewer their unhealthy days. Companies need to assess workers’ PWHS and HRQOL and promote H&PM. H&PM is also necessary to maintain and promote the health of workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Objective: Many companies in Japan have been increasingly interested in "health and productivity management (H&PM)." In terms of H&PM, we supposed that companies can enhance their employees' perceived workplace health support (PWHS) by providing support for workers' lively working and healthy living. This could then improve health-related QOL (HRQOL) by increasing PWHS. This study explored the relationship between PWHS and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Methods: During the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2020, we conducted an Internet-based nationwide health survey of Japanese workers (CORoNaWork study). A database of 27,036 participants was created. The question regarding the intensity of PWHS was measured using a four-point Likert scale. We used a linear mixed model (LMM) to analyze the relationship between the intensity of PWHS and the four domains of CDC HRQOL-4 (self-rated health, number of poor physical health days, number of poor mental-health days, and activity limitation days during the past 30 days). Results: In the sex- and age-adjusted and multivariate models, the intensity of PWHS had a main effect on self-rated health and the three domains of unhealthy days (physical, mental, activity limitation). There was also a trend toward worse HRQOL scores as the PWHS decreased. Conclusions: This study aimed to document the relationship between PWHS and HRQOL. We found that the higher the PWHS of Japanese workers, the higher their self-rated health and the lower their unhealthy days. Companies need to assess workers′ PWHS and HRQOL and promote H&PM. H&PM is also necessary to maintain and promote the health of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective This study aimed to assess the extent to which the intensity of perceived workplace health support (PWHS) affected the incidence of psychological distress. Methods At the baseline, data from 4,540 eligible participants throughout Japan were obtained using an Internet survey. Among them, 2,362 participants who could be followed up one year after the initial study were included in the analysis. The intensity of PWHS was determined using an original questionnaire. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Results Participants with high PWHS were less likely to experience severe psychological distress than those with low PWHS even after adjusting for confounding factors including work-related factors. The incidence of severe psychological distress decreased as the intensity of PWHS increased. Conclusions Enhanced PWHS reduced psychological distress and positively affected workers’ mental health.

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