“Good health is good business.”
–
Paul Drechsler, Chairman/CEO, Wates Group Limited
Paul Drechsler rightfully quotes that a
healthy body and mind affect nearly all facets of an individual’s life,
including their career. Reports show that healthy employees are 67% more likely to feel engaged at work which
in turn benefits the entire organization.
Since human resources are the most valuable
asset of an organization, monitoring their safety and wellbeing is the top most
priority for HR. An organization’s talent’s health and safety directly affect
its innovation and growth and help it gain a competitive edge.
Maximizing the collective safety and
well-being of employees is a critical challenge for employers, even in 2021.
Some astonishing facts about H&S in the Indian corporate world!
➢
According to a survey conducted
by ASSOCHAM, 43 percent of Indian employees suffer
from depression, out of which at least 23 percent suffer from obesity.
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70 percent of Indians spend their complete
salary on healthcare, and due to high medical costs, 3.2 percent of Indians are
deficient.
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17–21% of employers say they
have no intentions to invest in the H&S area.
What are
the aspects of HR that influence safety performance?
For a company to function effectively,
there needs to be a Workplace Health and Safety program which is the
responsibility of HR. Following are the most pressing aspects of HR which
impact the success of the Workplace Health and Safety program.
1. Job design
The following aspects of job design play a
critical role in the prevention of workplace injury:
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workload,
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shift work,
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rostering,
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clarity of reporting
relationships and direction,
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supervision, and more.
Physical injuries can be prevented or
minimized by carefully considering the ergonomics, physical exertion, and
repetitiveness of tasks in human resourcing planning.
2. Recruitment and selection
Recruitment and selection can help in
preventing workplace injury and employee illness. It is extremely important
that the candidates shortlisted for selection are committed to safe working
practices.
Also, the WHS suggests that candidates
should be subject to psychometric testing to ensure workplace safety. This way
HR can contribute to the WHS program.
3. Organisational culture
HR needs to develop a generative and
proactive safety-first culture instead of the traditional pathological and
reactive culture of safety. The senior
management and HR play a vital role in driving the Workplace Health and Safety
program of an organization.
4. Induction and Orientation
Statistics have shown that new employees
are more likely to be injured at work. Therefore, it is important that safety
information specific to each role is provided during the orientation and
induction process.
These processes can be conducted either
before the commencement or on the commencement of job. The orientation must
include session on information regarding procedures and policies relevant to
the role, followed by a practical induction into specific safety equipment,
practices or risks that exist in their new role.
5. Performance management
Linking the workplace health and safety
program to employees’ performance can ensure that all the safety and health
measures are taken seriously by all. These management processes may include:
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appraisals,
●
performance standards,
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reward and recognition, and
●
performance recovery
It also makes sure that no safety or health
standards are compromised in pursuit of meeting any business objective.
6. Training and development
In order to successfully meet the workplace
health and safety standards includes providing regular training to employees
relevant to their job roles.
It also includes that the individual
conducting any specific procedures or working on particular equipment possess
the relevant licenses or qualifications.
7. Health and wellbeing
Employee health and well-being programs
which focus on creating awareness on physical and mental health can potentially
have the benefit of reduced workplace injuries and illnesses. It also improves
safe work practices commitment.
Also, encouraging physical conditioning linked
with exercise programs can improve posture, work tolerance and strength, etc.
8. Absenteeism management
The absenteeism data tells you a lot about
an organisation and its work units. High absenteeism may indicate:
●
low job satisfaction,
●
conflict between employees or
managers,
●
physically or mentally taxing
job demands, etc.
To manage absenteeism in an organization,
each of the issues are to taken care of which may help to improve the health
and safety charts as well.
9. Working conditions and amenities
All organizations are legally required to
provide and maintain a minimal level of facilities for the welfare of workers.
These facilities include access to first aid and amenities such as safe working
conditions, clean drinking water, proper ventilation, and washing facilities.
10. HR policies and procedures
HR policies and procedures on workplace
bullying, discrimination, harassment, alcohol, and substance use, and grievance
reporting all are a part of the WHS program jurisdiction. Breaches of such policies and or procedures
can lead to injury and workers’ compensation claims. Thus, burdening the
company with increased costs.
How to monitor workplace health & safety? | Overcoming the HR
challenges
Following are a few ways that HR can adopt
to overcome the health and safety challenges in an organization:
➢
Establishing health standards
as part of company culture and ensuring that they are completely adhered to.
➢
Improving channels of
communication so that HR can listen to the employees’ concerns and provide
necessary solutions.
➢
Updating warning signage around
the office as the nature of dangers and hazards that the workers are exposed to
is constantly changing.
➢
Dealing with workplace violence
is an important function of HR. A minor disagreement could ignite a fierce
argument resulting in elevated stress levels. Tackling with such violent
individuals is the responsibility of HR to ensure the health and safety of all
the team members.
Final words…
It is believed that employers can support
their own cause by providing an environment that encourages a work-life
balance, which, in turn, forms a healthy foundation for the team members.
Employees are much happier and healthier
when the organization provides them with sponsored exercise, stress management,
and other general wellness programs. As a result, they attain better retention
and engagement and improved productivity.
Employee health and safety are also
important from a cost savings perspective. Better health reduces absenteeism,
saves company insurance costs arising out of workplace accidents.
Thus, employee health and safety is a critical
challenge in 2021 that requires particular attention from HR to make employee
health an asset instead of a liability.