Employee Perceptions of Safety, Health, and Well-Being: Focus Group Findings From One Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

OBJECTIVE:Focus groups were conducted at one veterans affairs (VA) medical center to understand (1) how the work environment and conditions of work influence employee safety, health, and well-being; (2) what programs, policies, and practices promote and protect employee safety and health in VA; and (3) how employee safety, health, and well-being impact the organizational mission. METHODS:Nine focus groups were conducted with leadership, supervisor, and frontline employees. Focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed, and content analysis was performed. RESULTS:Fifty-five employees participated in the focus groups. Six common themes emerged-stressful working conditions, health hazards, organizational factors, current program knowledge, participation barriers, and program suggestions. CONCLUSIONS:Employees identified organizational and structural elements of work that impact safety, health, and well-being. Application of the Total Worker Health™ hierarchy of controls provided a novel framework for discussion of focus group findings.