Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Workplace health promotion (WHP) interventions are public health activities targeted to working adults that may improve health outcomes, organizational performance, and work ability. This study aimed to assess employees' expectations towards employer-provided workplace health promotion and mental health support, as well as to identify factors associated with employees' expectations towards WHP and mental health support. METHODS: This nationwide questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Poland between 1 and 9 December 2025 among 1,030 full-time employees aged 18-60 years. Data were collected through computer-assisted web interviews (CAWI). RESULTS: Out of all respondents (n = 1,030), 86.5% declared that employers should provide workplace health promotion activities. Most respondents (35% "definitely yes" and 36.1% "rather yes") declared that employers should actively support employees' mental health. Burnout prevention (35.7%), prevention of spine and musculoskeletal disorders (34.6%), and stress management strategies (34%) were the most frequently indicated WHP expected by employees. Having higher education (aOR: 2.13; 95%CI: 1.46-3.11; p < 0.001), living in cities from 20,000 to 99,999 residents (aOR: 2.18; 95%CI: 1.21-3.93; p = 0.01), being in informal relationship (aOR: 2.01; 95%CI: 1.08-3.75; p = 0.03), and working in companies with 250 employees or over (p = 0.02) were associated with employees' expectations regarding employer-provided WHP activities. Number of employees was the only factor significantly associated with employees' expectations regarding employer-provided mental health support (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Most full-time employees in Poland expect employers to implement workplace health promotion and to provide mental health support. Expectations varied by sociodemographic and job-related characteristics. These findings indicate high acceptability of WHP among employees and point to the need for scalable approaches that also reach workers in smaller companies.