Emphasizing Employee Safety And Wellbeing

"You Are Your Own Last Line of Defense in Safety"

Workplace wellness refers to the entire condition of a person's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In the workplace, well-being is essential for workers to prosper, stay involved, and positively impact the company(Anon, 2021). Promoting well-being should now be a key component of a comprehensive WHS strategy, as happy and healthy workers are not only safer but also more productive.

Important components of wellbeing

Emotional stability and mental health

According to Shanks (2023), mental and emotional wellness are crucial elements of total employee welfare. According to Maltese (n.d.), stress, anxiety, and depression are prevalent workplace issues that can affect both job performance and safety. Employers can promote mental health by providing Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), training in mental health first aid and awareness, and cultivating an environment that values transparency, trust, and support (Anon, 2021).

Physical Condition

A traditional component of WHS is physical health, which emphasises encouraging healthy living and preventing workplace injuries. Companies should promote regular exercise, and ergonomic workspaces, leave time for employees to take breaks, allow them to get up from their desks and walk about sometimes, encourage stretching, and offer guidance on good eating and lifestyle choices. Companies can even go one step further and offer discounted sit-and-stand workstations, yoga, tai chi, and other low-impact classes (online or in the office), in addition to discounted gym memberships (Shanks, 2023).

Workplace Satisfaction

The welfare of employees is intimately associated with job happiness. Employee satisfaction increases the likelihood of engagement, loyalty, and productivity (Anon, 2021). Companies should make an effort to comprehend the requirements and preferences of their staff members, present chances for professional development, and maintain a welcoming and safe workplace (Maltese, n.d.). Numerous typical psychosocial risks, such as limited job control, high and low job demands, unclear roles, and remote and solitary work, are linked to the way that jobs are designed (Shanks, 2023). This suggested that a major factor in both job satisfaction and safety is careful consideration of job design.

Work-Life Balance

A healthy work-life balance is essential for employees. A healthy balance lowers stress and improves general health by enabling workers to unwind and regenerate outside of the workplace (Shanks, 2023). Improved work-life balance can be a result of flexible work arrangements including remote employment and flexible hours.

Advantages of Including Wellbeing

Enhanced Performance in Safety

Happy and healthy workers are more vigilant and attentive, which lowers the possibility of accidents at work (Anon, 2021). Furthermore, encouraging mental health can lessen employees' susceptibility to occupational dangers by helping them deal with stress and difficult situations more skillfully (Shanks, 2023).

Increased Efficiency of Workers

Workers are more engaged and driven when they feel appreciated and supported (Shanks, 2023). As a result, productivity rises, which eventually helps the company's bottom line.

Attracting and Maintaining Talent

Companies that put safety and well-being first attract more prospective workers. They have a higher chance of keeping their current employees, which lowers turnover and related expenses (Anon, 2021).

Positive Reputation

An organization's reputation is improved in the eyes of consumers, clients, and the general public when it demonstrates a dedication to the health and safety of its workforce. Increased client support and loyalty may result from this (Shanks, 2023).

When it comes to work health and safety, well-being is essential to establishing a more secure, effective, and healthy work environment(Anon, 2021). Including wellness in the workplace is a wise and calculated business move. Employers can foster a culture of wellness that is advantageous to both workers and the company by emphasising work-life balance, job satisfaction, and mental, physical, and emotional health. Leaders should be advocates for employees' well-being, put official policies and programmes into place, and maintain positive, constructive relationships with staff members at all times(Shanks, 2023).

References 

Maltese, A. (n.d.). Emerging Themes in HR: Top 4 CHRO Priorities in 2021. [online] www.quantumworkplace.com. Available at: https://www.quantumworkplace.com/future-of-work/emerging-themes-in-hr.

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‌Shanks, R. (2023). Wellbeing and Work Health & Safety | EI. [online] Employment Innovations. Available at: https://www.employmentinnovations.com/blog/wellbeing-work-health-safety/ [Accessed 10 Apr. 2024].

Anon, (2021). ShareTree Emotional Pulse - ShareTree. [online] Available at: https://sharetree.org/sharetree-emotional-pulse/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2a6wBhCVARIsABPeH1vfeo3mq05ooqhhXXA1IeVvW6u2VctYUJREDH1_372NTdlOwU5utuUaAo92EALw_wcB [Accessed 2 Apr. 2024].

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