When most people think of workplace health, they typically think of the business’s health and how it is doing. However, successful companies prioritize their employees’ physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being. Companies that make employee health a priority see many benefits that make it worth doing.
Prioritizing Employee Health Decreases Absenteeism
Absenteeism is simply employees missing work for various reasons. This can include illness, health-related concerns, or doctor appointments. Businesses that provide the necessary healthcare support, whether through on-site healthcare professionals or employee health programs, provide their employees with everything they need to stay as healthy as possible. By doing this, businesses see significant benefits and save money from reduced absenteeism.
Improved Productivity
Poor productivity is a by-product of employees who have clocked in and thus are at work physically but are not actively working. This phenomenon is often called presenteeism. Taking care of employees by prioritizing their health reduces presenteeism while increasing productivity. Healthy employees are also more engaged and ready to provide the services and support a business needs to thrive.
It Decreases Insurance Costs
Many businesses provide their employees with different types of insurance. Such insurance can be general, dental, vision, or any other type of insurance. Businesses that do this typically pay for the insurance fully. If they have many employees falling sick, the insurance company might increase their premiums to take this fact into account. Businesses with healthy employees have fewer health insurance claims, meaning their insurance premiums remain steady, saving them a lot of money.
It Reduces Health Risks
Implementing an employee health and wellness program starts with helping employees switch to healthier diets and habits through eating nutritious meals and exercising. High cholesterol, high blood sugar levels, diabetes, and blood pressure are just a few of the numerous risks associated with a poor diet and lack of exercise.
Getting your employees to start exercising will require you to push them to make the first step. For healthy eating, you can encourage them to switch by rewarding such practices. For example, businesses can provide employees with a health saving card that provides healthy food benefits. These cards allow employees to purchase healthy staples like supplements, dairy products, and whole grains. The added benefit of using this option is that employees save money while getting healthier. By educating employees and using options like the health saving card, businesses do their part in reducing overall health risks.
It Makes the Workplace Safer
Employee health is not only a component of their well-being, but it also extends to workplace safety. A safe environment reduces the risk of injuries, accidents, and work-related injuries. Businesses that implement safety protocols by providing training and addressing potential hazards protect the health and well-being of their employees. This reduces the likelihood of workplace accidents, associated costs, and poor health among employees.
It Improves Employee Morale and Retention
It is within our nature to want to feel valued. Since they are a business’s most important asset, companies must make their employees feel valued, which translates to increased morale and higher employee retention rates. One way to show employees they are valued and appreciated is by implementing health and wellness programs and providing health-related benefits in their compensation packages. Doing so leads to employees who are happy to remain with the company. These high morale and high retention rates lead to increased productivity and reduced HR costs.
It Leads to a Positive Company Image and Reputation
Businesses that prioritize employee health and well-being have a positive company image and reputation. They are also seen as socially responsible and caring organizations. For these reasons, these businesses can attract top talent, enhance customer brand loyalty, and improve stakeholder relationships. This ultimately benefits the bottom line and ensures the overall success and sustainability of the business.
Businesses Must Do This to Meet Legal and Ethical Obligations
Some jurisdictions have provisions that businesses must make employee health a priority. Compliance with regulations governing employee health and safety is crucial for avoiding the legal repercussions of not doing so and maintaining ethical practices.
Businesses are morally obligated to ensure all their employees are in good health. Doing so benefits the company and its employees, by the way of increased productivity, retention rates, and morale.
