Is Your Organization's Health Overlooked? Let's Discuss Its Impact on Performance

It is amazing to note how little attention is given to the use of tools that measure the health status of an organization. Much more focus is spent on the health of employees in order to reduce absenteeism. Organizations are losing substantial potential results because of employees who are present on the job but performing at a poor level. This can sometimes be caused by private problems but mainly due to undetected health issues within the organization itself.

Organizational Health: A Strategic Concern?

What is the experience of other members? Is organizational health dealt with at the strategic level? Are tools used to measure the health status of the organization? Is it considered 'soft' even though it affects the overall performance and therefore bottom-line results? Do you have any idea whether your organization is healthy? If so, what makes you think that?

Organizational Health: A Dual Perspective

End of the day, the health of an organization depends on the people who make the organization. However, the health parameters of the organization are different from those of the employees. Yes, the organization's health is discussed, debated, measured, and kept track of by the management regularly. The organization's health is reviewed by the CEO at the operational level and reviewed by the Chairman at the Board level.

Health Parameters and Measurement at the Workplace

In our workplace, we utilize various health parameters to assess the well-being of our employees. These parameters include regular health check-ups, BMI measurements, blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol levels, and overall fitness assessments.

Measurement is applied through annual health screenings conducted by qualified healthcare professionals. Employees are required to undergo these screenings to track their health status and identify any potential issues early on. The data collected from these measurements helps in designing wellness programs and interventions tailored to individual health needs.

Through these efforts, we aim to promote a culture of health and well-being within our organization and support our employees in leading healthier lives.

Absolutely correct. In recent days, even in my observation where I worked and currently work, organizational health is not considered an important criterion at all. Management is under the wrong notion that they are doing their best and expects high performance levels even from entry-level employees.

The Importance of HR in Organizational Health

Management needs to understand the basics and the importance of HR and the HR department. They need to keep a check on this aspect so that it can improve the workplace, motivate employees, and maintain a balance between employees' personal and professional lives. One can say that for any organization to be successful, organizational health should be positioned high on the priority list.

Regards,
Jayalakshmi

We have implemented the OHSAS Policy 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety Assurance System), an international standard to control the occupational health and safety of the working people. Periodical health check-ups are conducted for all employees, and records are maintained by the Occupational Health Centre. Employees found with serious complications are sent for specialized treatment in the Company Hospital.

Implementation of OHSAS Policy 18001

We have implemented the OHSAS Policy 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety Assurance system), an international standard to control occupational health and safety of the working people. Periodical health check-ups are conducted for all people, and records are maintained by the Occupational Health Centre. Employees found with some serious complications are sent for specialized treatment in the Company Hospital.

This is the perfect example of how companies mistake "health" for only "physical" health. Physical health (or should I say physical ailment) is the manifestation of mental health. Physical ailments can be taken care of by themselves. There are so many good hospitals. Companies need to make sure the employees don't get any ailments by ensuring a healthy, friendly, pleasant work environment at work. If they provide this, they will not fall sick in the first place.

Creating a Positive Work Environment

Companies should do things that will make employees:
- want to come to the office enthusiastically,
- want to work happily,
- achieve their deliverables with ease and eagerness,
- express themselves fearlessly.

Instead, companies put undue pressure on employees, make them work overtime, bosses cram them so they do their work out of fear, and because of all these, if they fall sick, they provide medical facilities. This is like first creating a problem yourself and then trying to provide a solution.

Organizational Health as a Living Organism

Organizations can be looked at as living organisms. Like human beings, organizations can suffer from health issues that are not always recognized by management. Most managers focus on short-term results, not on the overall health status of the organization itself. Many times, Organizational Health Management (OHM) is limited to ensuring that employees stay healthy and safe on the job.

Integral Approach to Organizational Health Management

Integral OHM also takes the functioning of the organization into account by periodically testing the physical, mental, social/emotional, and spiritual aspects of health.

Is anyone familiar with this approach to Organizational Health? Healthy employees giving their best in a not-so-healthy organization still underperform. Modern performance management requires a balanced approach to OHM to achieve sustainable results.