Workplace performance is directly related to the health of your employees. People who feel hale, hearty, and happy are more likely to properly focus on the task at hand and give it adequate energy to accomplish it. Being around coworkers who apply the same amount of vigor encourages the productivity of the group as a whole, but there are times when sharing a workspace can also be a health hazard.
As the COVID-19 pandemic showed, diseases spread faster in shared spaces, including offices. Complaints such as back pain and carpal tunnel injuries are also common health issues among desk workers. So as a business owner or executive, you need to carefully assess how to optimize your workplace so that your employees can remain healthy and productive. By adopting preventive and proactive health measures today, you reduce the likelihood of employees calling in sick, being injured or hurt in the office, or feeling burned out by their work responsibilities.
The importance of workplace safety
Workplace safety refers to the working environment of a company and includes all aspects that may directly or indirectly affect the health and well-being of its employees. It is a misconception to think that workplace safety only applies to potentially hazardous and life-threatening professions, such as law enforcement or the medical field. Rather, workplace safety encompasses all factors that may affect health, from workplace ergonomics to how well-lit the office is, and even whether an air purifier is installed to reduce the risk of infections being transmitted from one person to another. Employees spend most of the day at work, often sitting at their desks for hours on end. Spending lengthy periods being almost completely sedentary can affect physical and mental health, which has a cumulative effect on employee satisfaction and individual output.
By supporting your employees’ health and well-being, you also improve employee retention rates. Workers who are satisfied with their working conditions and feel valued by management are more likely to stay with the company.
How do I improve workplace safety?
The first step in improving workplace safety is auditing your current environment. Take an objective look at your office and notice obvious signs of floor damage, poor lighting, and any other health hazards. It is also a good idea to ask your colleagues and employees about their own observations and experiences. Take note of anything that might affect a person’s physical and mental health.
For example, one of the most common concerns employees have is the temperature of their office and where their seats are in relation to the cooling vents. Make sure that your air conditioning units are suitably placed in an area that disperses the cool air through the room and is set at a comfortable temperature. Make sure that its filtration systems are regularly cleaned as well to prevent dust and other allergens from being spread in the office and affecting indoor air quality.
Once you determine the areas for improvement, you can then take the steps to resolve them. It is a good idea to do so gradually, especially if your office requires a complete overhaul of workplace safety. Focus on immediate and obvious hazards and work your way to less important aspects.
Incentivize healthier habits
Once you’ve resolved the physical aspects of the work environment, you can then focus on encouraging healthier habits among your employees. This varies from company to company, but think of ways to promote physical activity with good nutrition. This can be as simple as setting up a space with standing desks so that employees can take a break from sitting down all the time or setting up a refrigerator in the pantry where people can store their healthy snacks. You may also consider setting up flexible work schedules so that your workers can attend a fitness class or go to the gym. Whatever you decide, think of various feasible ways your company can make its employees feel happier and healthier at work.
Pay attention to employee stress levels
A natural companion to healthier habits is paying closer attention to employee stress levels. While stress can manifest itself in different ways, some telltale signs of employee stress include chronic tardiness or absences, a dramatic drop in work performance, appearing irritable all the time, and diminished creativity, among others.
Team leaders should be trained to watch for these signs among their direct reports and be provided with tools to support those who need assistance. If the employee is stressed because of a poor work environment, find ways to resolve their issues. Conversely, if the employee is stressed because of a personal event, consider if it is appropriate for them to file for leave or to get professional help.
The points mentioned here are just some of the many ways that companies can make the effort to keep employees healthy and productive. Use them as a starting point to create a caring and supportive work environment. Showing your employees that you care goes a long way in fostering a work culture where they want to go to work, are happy to work, and take pride in what they do.