Champions as social agents of change: what can we learn from worker well-being initiatives?

Reasons for the study

Worker well-being initiatives are underused in Canada despite their sizeable productivity and employee well-being benefits. Organizations are often challenged with trying to find ways to encourage the participation of employees, particularly those who may be resistant or ambivalent to change. Increasing evidence has suggested that harnessing the enthusiasm, advocacy, and interpersonal relationships of “champions” (people who champion and act as supportive and enthusiastic voices for new corporate practices) can help build trust and gain support from their colleagues.

Objectives of the study

  • Understand who identifies as someone championing worker well-being initiatives at their organization, why and how they adopted this role, and the perceptions of champions in attempting to effect change in existing corporate practices
  • Examine the positive and negative experiences of individuals championing worker well-being among their colleagues, particularly experiences with colleagues who are ambivalent or resistant to participating in these initiatives

Target audience

Organizations seeking to support worker well-being strategies

Project status

Ongoing

Research team

Collaborators and partners

Dr. Graham Lowe (Graham Lowe Group)

Funded by

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)