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The workplace has proven to cause a heavy impact on employees’ health and wellbeing. Causes can derive from physical factors like incorrect manual handling to psychological ones like work-related stress. Collectively, they can build up to high levels of sick leave and absence.
Concentrating on your employee’s health and wellbeing can exponentially improve morale and attendance.
You should treat health and wellbeing as a vital factor in your company, whilst hosting a safe working environment. All of which can ensure your employee feel comfortable and confident as members of your business.
The ONS reported absence related to sickness decreased by 1.8% in 2020. Which is the lowest rate reported since 1995.
But, according to HSE, it’s estimated that 38.8 million working days were lost because of work-related ill-health and non-fatal work accidents.
High numbers like these can add up to great business losses. Lost workdays, due to illness and injuries, snowball into lost time, resources, and productivity.
One of the biggest responsibilities you have is to look after the welfare of your employee. Without this, your workers will drop out of the business faster than you can anticipate.
Of course, it’s impossible for a workplace to be completely absent-free. But having a healthy approach for dealing with absences is a must – for the employer and employees.
Employees who are fit for work will produce and perform more efficiently. So, if they are healthy (physically and mentally), you’ll benefit from having a more resilient workforce.
The implications on employee wellbeing and business productivity can cost a business more than what you might foresee.
Absences due to physical and mental illnesses can derive from all sorts of reasons.
Keep awareness and sensitivity for all kinds of absence issues. Remember, an employee may not exude physical illness. But they could be suffering mental strains, like depression or anxiety.
Employers themselves can be found guilty of direct inflictions, which lead to ill health. Common scenarios like this that can ruin employee engagement are:
Take a positive and proactive approach to employee wellbeing. You’ll soon see a reduction in absence numbers. Concentrating on employee engagement is also a must. You’ll soon see it return as genuine commitment and loyalty to your business.
If you were to calculate costs that derive from poor employee health, you’ll easily see the impact on your business. Sick leave, lost hours, employee turnover – the effects will add up daily and in the long run.
Workplace health and wellbeing initiatives can reduce absence costs, alongside:
If you establish these, you can easily display your business as a place of prosperity and growth.
Being able to spot and determine the mood of the workspace can prove beneficial for you. It’s easily done by using wellbeing trackers and charts. These can help outline your employees’ conditions – daily and in the future.
Having initial objectives that support your business can significantly improve:
We are living in a world where flexible working is fast becoming the norm. So, make sure remote workers are protected and safe as they work in isolation or off-location.
You and your management should openly encourage promoting wellbeing at work. It’s vital you present a clear message for the awareness of employee health and wellbeing.
This can be initiated through smaller gestures, like not answering emails after work hours, or taking lunch breaks daily.
Having open wellbeing conversations can show your employee who they should contact for help. This is crucial for those who are unconfident in raising issues, or those who are suffering alone.
Train your line managers to manage cases empathetically, especially for mental health issues. Keep promoting dialogue, feedback, and engagement – you’ll significantly boost morale and productivity alongside.
Supporting employee wellbeing through schemes and classes can significantly improve physical and mental health. Some great ways to do this is by providing:
Having these at discounted rates means more employees gain access to these schemes–all without breaking your bank.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all employers have a duty of care for the safety of their employees–and this includes wellbeing.
By managing workplace health and safety, you can control and reduce potential injuries and accidents. And fewer illnesses means fewer absences. Some important H&S obligations your business needs to possess are:
It’s also a good idea to reassess your workplace policies and risk assessments, and update them.
By preventing and reducing the risk of accidents, you can identify:
Identify and document these hazards and risks. It’ll help you manage repeat situations. Also, keep training up to date, utilise PPE if needed, and run assessments that are legally mandatory.
With thorough management, you’ll effectively comply with your legal duty of care, whilst reducing sick leave and absence.
Assessing your absence rates can showcase a great evaluation for your employee’s wellbeing.
Aspire to provide accessible and practical methods for improving health, wellbeing, and engagement at work.
Controlling levels accurately and timely can prove to be an effective wellbeing strategy. It’s the perfect way to record and manage absence and wellbeing together.
Author:
Kayleigh Frost works at Health Assured and has extensive knowledge of mental health and wellbeing, with a specific focus on the workplace. As a qualified Mental Health First Aider and a clinical department head, she strives for excellence and superior service delivery to all.
Want to know how Engagedly can help you improve employee experience? Request for a live demo.
