Work engagement and physical health of employees in a South African organisation

Abstract

Work engagement is defined as “a positive, fulfilling, work related state of mind that is characterized by vigour, dedication, and absorption” (Schaufeli & Bakker, 2010; Schaufeli, Salanova, González-Romá, & Bakker, 2002). It is therefore critical for organisations to pay careful attention to the effect that engagement can have on employee’s health to ensure the highest level of work engagement, productivity and performance within the organisation. Previous studies have shown that very little research has been conducted in the South African context to examine if there is a relationship between work engagement and physical health. The overall purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between work engagement and physical health. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) , South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1) as well as a single self-reported health item were administered to a sample (N = 132) of South African employees in various different divisions and positions within an insurance organisation in Johannesburg. It was found that there is a relationship between work engagement between work engagement and physical health, but work engagement and its components, vigour, dedication and absorption do not predict one’s diet, smoking habits or self-reported health.