Improvement of Psychosocial Work Environment in Stress Management in the Workplace : How to Achieve Healthy Workplaces?

Abstract

The Japanese government has launched a new occupational health policy called the Stress Check Program. In the program, employers are obligated to analyze the Stress Check data in relevant groups and to utilize the data to improve the psychosocial work environment. This article discusses how to utilize Stress Check Program to achieve healthy workplaces. I first introduced the concept and procedures of work environment improvement in the program and, then, moved to a critical review of them. Finally, I illustrated a strategic use of Stress Check Program to achieve really healthy workplaces by a case study.