Are We Ignoring Health and Safety at Work? How Employers and Employees Can Step Up

The Importance of Health and Safety in the Workplace

We are highly educated and have developed from our past generations. We live a comfortable life as technology has made life easier and all under our fingertips. We are more educated about living a healthy lifestyle and work safety. However, our lives have become so fast-paced with limited time that we often ignore our health and safety, either knowingly (due to laziness) or unknowingly. This has led to an increase in medical bills, pain, absenteeism from the workplace, and a loss of organizational output. It has been noticed over the last few years that employees are availing medical leave more frequently, and most employees are affected by one or two health disorders. Employees working in metro cities, especially in India or developing countries, are prone to health disorders as they have to travel for hours to reach the workplace, spending a significant part of their lives on the roads. At the same time, they have to fulfill all their family liabilities, leaving them with no time for their health.

Employer Responsibilities Beyond Medical Leave

Are the responsibilities of employers limited to providing medical leave and medical insurance only? People are the ones who run the organization, and poor health and an unsafe work environment cost both employers and employees heavily. Employers and employees both suffer financial loss, stress, and more. Employees drive an organization, and employers need to be really serious about their employees. The health of employees is a crucial aspect. Major reasons for health disorders include an unsafe work environment, pollution, stress, food habits, lifestyle, and low immunity to fight against diseases. In our workplace, most employees are affected by asthma, diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, heart issues, and many more.

Initiatives to Improve Employee Health

Small initiatives taken by employers and employees can avoid or minimize health-related issues. Some initiatives that can really make a difference include:

• Increasing workload and deadlines for task completion lead to stress. Stress release sessions may be conducted by a physiologist once a month or as needed. We have implemented this, and I can say it really works. The results can be seen after one or two sessions.

• For convenience, employees prefer junk and easily available food, which has serious adverse effects on health. Sessions with a dietician can be arranged once a year or as needed regarding food habits and healthy foods to be consumed in the right amounts to stay fit and healthy. This should be reviewed to ensure compliance and assess its benefits.

• For comfort and convenience, employees prefer automobiles and hardly walk during the day. A "Maximum Walking Month" initiative, where each employee uses a pedometer to record the number of steps walked, calories burned, distance, walking time, and speed per hour, can be implemented. Employees will feed the data into an online system (created with the help of the IT team), and the employee with the maximum steps will be awarded as the winner after one month.

• To maintain fit and healthy employees, a small gym can be built in the workplace where employees can work out during their leisure time. The younger generation is particularly obsessed with a healthy physique.

• Healthy lunches can be provided to employees at the workplace. These can be free or subsidized, depending on the need. This will help them avoid junk food and will make them really happy.

• Yoga and annual sports can be arranged for employees with various physical activities, and employees should be encouraged to participate. Picnics or tours to places close to nature will also work.

• Employees inhale smoke and fumes while traveling on the road by bike and open conveyance (auto rickshaw and non-AC bus). Therefore, transport facilities for employees may be extended.

The above-mentioned are just a few initiatives, and we can implement them as per our needs and feasibility. We need to make management understand the importance of a healthy workforce. Expenses incurred in these activities should be treated as investments, not costs. Many modern and employee-friendly organizations are finding ways to keep their employees healthy. Employees need to be aware that it’s their health, and they should take ownership to keep it healthy to live a happy and stress-free life. In the end, it will save them money. In terms of HR, these will be employee engagement activities to keep the workforce engaged.

Suggestions and comments will be highly appreciated.

The Importance of Health in the Workplace

The old saying "health is wealth" still holds true. One cannot perform well in the office or anywhere if their health lets them down. India is facing an overweight epidemic among the middle class and office-going worker class, which speaks volumes about our lifestyle. Unless we decide to exercise and make time for it, no one can help us. No wonder drugs can bring about health. No wonder a proper diet is going to help you achieve health or six-pack abs. One must set aside time for exercise—be it fast walks, gym visits, or playing football, etc.—some sort of regular exercise is a must.

Younger people somehow think that youth will carry them through, but everyone becomes older day by day, and youth does not remain. Fitness exercises have to be a part of daily life, just like getting ready to go to the office. Really, no one should use the excuse "I do not have time"—you have to find time. The beneficial aspects of exercise are indisputable, and coupled with a good diet, one can easily lead a healthy and productive life.

Role of Management in Promoting Health

Management has to play its role in making the office/work environment healthy. Clean areas, safe drinking water, and the absence of junk food in the cafeteria will play a big role. If space permits, a ping pong table or another sports facility can be provided, as well as a gym for short workouts. Mid-morning breaks will enhance productivity. The provision of good medical cover is part of most CTC, but it does not end here. This will, of course, improve productivity among employees.

Management must actively promote physical and general happiness. Employers should keep in mind the linkages between health and productivity. While employers understand that investing in human capital improves the company's bottom line, they are only beginning to understand the impact health has on worker productivity. In fact, indirect costs of poor health, including absenteeism, disability, or reduced work output, may be several times higher than direct medical costs. Some of the bigger Indian companies have started giving increased focus on health, which is a good sign. But a lot of the onus remains with the individual to keep health as a top priority.

Regards

Thank you, sir, for mentioning it in the right manner. Health-related issues are the major reasons for absenteeism from the workplace, and it has increased in recent years. We all suffer and hardly discuss these issues in terms of the employer. Employers can initiate healthy lifestyle programs to create a better work environment.