Health literacy at work – individual and organizational health literacy, health supporting leadership and employee wellbeing

Abstract Background Against the backdrop of demographic change and the shortage of skilled workers, employees’ psychological wellbeing is of special interest for employers. In previous studies, individual health literacy has already been positively associated with psychological wellbeing. However, in order to improve health literacy, it is essential to take into account both the individual prerequisites and the demands and complexity of the system in which individuals operate. As current studies primarily focus on employees’ individual health literacy and as the concept of organizational health literacy, so far, is mainly used in the context of health care institutions, this study investigates on the impact of organizational health literacy and health supporting leadership on the relationship between individual health literacy and employees’ psychological wellbeing in a big German company based in the financial sector. Methods Data of an employee survey that was conducted in a big German company of the financial sector in October 2021 were analyzed by two mediation analyses using the PROCESS macro by Hayes for SPSS. A total of 2555 employees was included in analyses (51.4% male and 48.6% female). Results The relationship between individual health literacy and employees’ psychological wellbeing is partially mediated by organizational health literacy, indirect effect ab 0.268 – CI [0.170, 0.378] and by health supporting leadership, indirect effect ab 0.228 – CI [0.137, 0.329]. Conclusion Study results provide new indications for planning and evaluating the health strategy of companies. Regarding the psychological wellbeing of employees, practitioners and researchers should focus not only on individual health literacy but also on organizational health literacy and health supporting leadership.