Workplace Influence Matters: Impact of Co-Workers and Mass Media on Employee Subjective Norms in Health Behaviour Change Intention

Employees’ health behaviours, particularly dietary habits and physical activity, are critical determinants of workplace productivity, yet they are often influenced by social and environmental factors within organizational settings. This study examines the role of co-worker interactions and mass media exposure in shaping employees’ subjective norms, a core component of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), and their subsequent impact on intentions to adopt healthier lifestyles in the Malaysian banking sector. Drawing from existing literature, co-worker support is identified as a key source of interpersonal influence, while mass media provides informational cues that reinforce social expectations and promote health awareness. Despite increasing interest in workplace wellness, limited research has explored how these social and informational influences interact to affect employees’ health-related behavioural intentions. The findings underscore the importance of leveraging both peer support and targeted media communication in designing effective workplace interventions to improve employees’ health behaviour, enhance well-being, and reduce productivity losses associated with absenteeism and presenteeism. Implications for policy and practice are discussed, alongside recommendations for future longitudinal studies to examine causal relationships in high-pressure professional environments.

Workplace Influence, Co-Workers, Mass Media, Subjective Norm, Health Behavior

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