Workplace safety may not be the most exciting topic that is making the rounds, but trust us, it is as important as any other subject that is making headlines.
If you are not convinced, read on to understand the size of the impact that workplace safety has on the productivity, health, and success of companies.
Without letting any second go to waste, let’s dive into the human side of workplace safety. And why it’s worth your attention.
What is Workplace Safety?
First things first, let’s define workplace safety. Workplace safety is hinged mainly on workplace culture and a set of policies or rules that are put in place to ensure the safety of people in different workspace settings.
Complying with international and local workplace standards will keep everyone who works in an organization safe from harm and injury while on the job.
The scope of workplace safety also includes physical safety (such as preventing slips, trips, and falls) and psychological safety (making sure employees feel valued and respected.)
Why Should You Prioritise Employee Health?
As we mentioned earlier, workplace safety also covers employee health, and this involves making sure that the physical and emotional well-being of employees is well catered to.
Contrary to popular misconceptions, it is not limited to keeping people from getting sick or injured alone. It’s also about creating an environment where employees feel supported and encouraged to do their best to ensure the company’s success.
It is common psychological knowledge that when employees feel safe, cared for, and healthy, they’re more likely to be productive and committed to their jobs.
And as you can imagine, this can lead to increased morale, lower rates of absenteeism, and higher levels of job satisfaction. All of which is perfect ingredients for running a profitable business.
How Can You Prioritize Employee Health?
You would probably be wondering and asking yourself, how can you prioritize employee health in your organisation?
Well, we thought you would ask, and we have made a list of strategies you should consider:
1. Implement a Comprehensive Safety Program
One proven way of prioritising and ensuring employee health is by implementing a comprehensive safety program. What does this mean?
This involves having policies in place to prevent accidents and injuries. It also extends to providing safety training to employees.
2. Positive Workplace Culture
Another proven strategy is to adopt a positive workplace culture. This involves creating an enabling environment where employees always feel valued and respected.
There are a number of ways to achieve this. Some proven ways include encouraging open communication, holding recognition programs, and creating opportunities for professional growth and staff development.
3. Provide Access to Health and Wellness Programs
Offering health and wellness programs is another way of prioritizing employee health. Some ideas to consider include providing health coaching and mental health support services.
4. Encourage Work-Life Balance
Last but not least, encourage work-life balance. Promote flexible work arrangements — telecommuting or scheduling. You can also encourage your employees to take breaks and vacations.
Top 3 Benefits of Prioritizing Employee Health
1. Improved Job Satisfaction
When employees feel safe, they will be satisfied with their jobs and be in high spirits to serve the company.
2. Increased Productivity
Healthy employees are more productive. As you can imagine, when employees are in good health, they have more energy and are more motivated to deliver top-notch services.
3. Reduced Absenteeism and Turnover
Prioritising employee health can also lead to lower rates of absenteeism and turnover. When employees feel supported and are shown great care, they will show up to work pumped with energy and stay with the organization for a long time.
Conclusion
There you have it. The top reasons why every organisation should prioritise workplace health and safety.
Investing in your employee’s health and well-being isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s profitable and best for business. It is important to consider all aspects of health and safety, even the smaller aspects like the relevant employees obtaining a cscs green card.
As a focused and teeming business owner looking to build an empire, it would be best to prioritize and embrace workplace safety today and watch your organization thrive.
Jeena Alfredo is a passionate digital marketer at The Business Goals. She is working with other companies to help them manage the relationship with The Business Goals for the publications.
