Investigating the Influence of Factors Inhibiting Environmental Behaviour and Their Relationship to Workplace Health

Background: While there has been a wealth of research exploring householdpro-environmental behavior (PEB), very little research has explored PEB in the workplace. This constitutes a considerable gap in the literature and in practice. Workplaces provide substantial opportunities for the implementation of behavioral interventions and policies. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a guiding framework, this study sought to identify the predictive validity of perceived behavioral control, environmental attitudes and norms on work-related PEB. Understanding the predictors of this rational behavior has implications for improving both environmental and health outcomes within the workplace. Method: Staff and students (N=198) from James Cook University, Townsville were recruited to participate in an online questionnaire that explored the attitudinal, normative and control factors associated with workplace PEB. Findings: The importance of attitudinal, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control factors varied depending on the type of PEB targeted. For example, subjective norms were particularly important for workplace recycling behaviors. Discussion: The TPB is useful in explaining some PEB due to the intentional and rational nature of environmental behavior. The findings further suggest that workplaces could act as a medium by which to enhance PEB through policy implementation at a micro level. Moreover, due to the nature of some PEB, this policy implementation may have spillover effects for individual health outcomes. The importance of encouraging home PEB may also have positive effects for workplace environmental behavior.