Every time an employee falls victim to a work-related accident, it leads or could lead to a number of chain reactions that affect both management and employees.
Even outside of work accidents, the general health of every employee is also relevant to the employer for a number of practical reasons. Stay with us as we discuss employee health, along with possible steps for improving it and other relevant points from the perspective of the employer.
The Aftermath of a Workplace Accident
When an employee gets injured, poisoned or killed while doing his/her work, the management could be held responsible if the accident was a result of the employer violating any of the health codes or legal safety requirements made mandatory by state and/or federal laws. This could lead to anything from permanent shutdowns, jailtime for key decision makers, and hefty compensation lawsuits.
Even if the accident was just that, and it had nothing to do with any safety or health code violations, the employer will still suffer from a temporary loss in productivity, lowered morale among the employees, and maybe even a bad reputation.
Poor Health Affects Productivity
Employees who are physically and mentally fit will perform better and boost the productivity of the entire business in the process. However, when they are not in optimum health conditions, their work will inevitably suffer as a result. For example, a single employee with the flu can make the entire department sick, if proper procedures are not followed.
In case the environment of the office, factory or any other work facility itself is not conducive to good health and comfort, it will lead to poor performance, more sick days and once again, a bad reputation.
What Can Be Done to Improve Employee Health and Safety?
The very first step would be to make sure that all the health and safety codes, as dictated by the US government are maintained properly. The exact regulations will vary according to the nature of the workplace and the type of work the employees are doing for the company.
However, that’s just basic and won’t cover every situation, especially the ones involving the human tendency to not follow rules at times.
This is where population health initiatives come in. IBH has successfully improved population health on multiple occasions, by changing the way a large amount of people within a certain area or facility behaves.
They also provide a digital platform where health concerns of the employees can be addressed by appropriate doctors and therapists. To know more about how national-level population health programs can be used with immense success within work environments, visit the IBH website.
Aside from these, measures such as regular health and safety awareness campaigns, opening easy two-way communication channels and mandatory health checkups, insurance coverage, etc. should also help immensely.
Although management is expected to take more responsibility, employees share a lot of the responsibility as well and they should be both made aware of that, as well as being reminded of it periodically. It’s a culmination of all efforts by employers and employees which creates a safe, comfortable and healthy work environment for everybody.
