Healthy Employees, Healthy Business: Why Employee Health should be your Top Priority

Boost Productivity & Attract Top Talent: Invest in Employee Well-being

Are you a business owner? If you are, you will know the importance of prioritizing your employees’ health. It makes sense—healthy employees feel good and are more productive. They are far less likely to take sick leave. Constant absenteeism can disrupt workflow and impact the success of any business.

What exactly is employee well-being?

Employee well-being refers to the overall state of their mental, physical, emotional, and financial health. It is affected by factors such as:

  • Sense of purpose and meaning
  • Organizational support (physical, psychological, financial)
  • Balance between work and private life
  • Physical comfort and safety
  • Independence, flexibility, and “control of jobs”
  • The feeling of job security
  • Levels of fairness, equality, and justice in the workplace
  • Robustness of social connectivity and networks

Remember that “employee well-being” encompasses much more than just physical and mental well-being.

Why should I focus so much on this metric?

By tracking employee well-being, business owners and HR teams can measure employee satisfaction and well-being from a holistic perspective, which provides opportunities to increase well-being and optimize business results.

Low levels of employee well-being lead to poor performance. A workforce with high average well-being results in better outcomes, fewer errors, and lower staff turnover.

Simply put, all companies have higher productivity levels if their employees are as happy and healthy as possible. An organization that satisfies and takes care of its staff can attract and retain better talent.

Factors that contribute to sickness and absenteeism

There are a few factors that contribute to sickness and absenteeism among employees:

Chronic health conditions.

Employees with chronic health conditions such as asthma or diabetes may experience flare-ups or complications when they’re unhappy and stressed at work.

High levels of stress in the workplace can weaken the immune system and increase susceptibility to illness. Having your body in a constant state of heightened stress will eventually damage a person’s cardiovascular system. All stress-related conditions, such as anxiety, burnout, and depression, can lead to absenteeism.

Unhealthy lifestyle choices.

Those who are unhappy and stressed at work develop unhealthy lifestyle choices. They eat badly, they aren’t motivated to exercise, they can’t sleep properly, and they often turn to alcohol and substance abuse. These choices and habits contribute to weakened immune systems and health problems that lead to absenteeism.

Poor work culture and lack of appreciation.

A negative or toxic work environment, where employees feel undervalued, unappreciated, or unsupported, can lead to disengagement, low morale, and increased stress levels. This, in turn, can contribute to physical and mental health issues, resulting in higher rates of sickness and absenteeism.

Creating a supportive workplace

Every manager needs to address these factors and look at ways to promote a healthy work environment and offer service and wellness programs. Fostering a supportive workplace is not just a matter of ticking boxes; it’s about cultivating an atmosphere where employees feel valued, respected, and cared for.

Employers are looking at all kinds of ways to ensure healthy employees who contribute to making a business a success. This is where service awards come in. Implementing these employee service award programs helps to create a supportive workplace culture where employees feel that their health concerns are taken seriously.

When employees see their efforts and dedication being acknowledged, it boosts their morale and fosters a sense of loyalty toward the organization.

The health of employees should be a top priority for a business, for good reason:

  • Unhealthy employees can incur higher healthcare costs for the organization. This is because of increased medical visits and treatments. Prioritizing employee health can help reduce these costs, ultimately benefiting the company’s bottom line.
  • Employees who feel their health is important are likely to have higher morale and job satisfaction. This leads to increased collaboration, productivity, and a more positive work environment. Employees are more likely to stay with a company that supports their health and well-being.
  • Many jurisdictions have regulations in place that require employers to provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees. Prioritizing employee health simply helps ensure compliance with these regulations. It avoids the costs of legal intervention.

Creating a supportive workplace is not just about implementing policies and programs; it’s about fostering a culture of care and understanding. When employees feel valued and supported, they are more likely to be engaged, productive, and loyal to the organization.

By prioritizing employee health and well-being, businesses can create a win-win situation where both the company and its workforce thrive.

How do wellness-type programs contribute to better health?

A business invests in its employees’ health because the returns are long-term success and sustainability for the business. You can safely say that these healthy worker programs have become a must in any business.

Each company has a different name for these employee service awards programs, but they all boil down to the same thing – providing recognition and appreciation for the efforts of employees. This leads to job satisfaction and better health.

This recognition boosts morale and contributes to good health. These awards also serve as incentives for employees to strive for excellence in their work. Knowing that their efforts are recognized and rewarded encourages a feeling of wanting to be there. The employees’ brains release endorphins, which are mood enhancers, and workers experience a feeling of belonging.

Feelings of well-being can be triggered when workers experience happy emotions. Service awards also provide opportunities to recognize and celebrate significant milestones in employees’ careers. Remembering important dates, such as anniversaries, creates memorable moments in the workplace and strengthens bonds between employees and the organization.

Everyone wants to know their work makes a difference. They want to know that you, as the business owner, care about their contributions.

By promoting positive workplace experiences, recognition, and well-being, you contribute to employees’ overall health and wellness.

Healthy employees are an asset to any business

In the long run, healthy employees are a fundamental asset to any business. There are several ways in which these healthy employees contribute to making a healthy business.

Health employees are role models. They increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, and lower healthcare costs by ensuring fewer insurance claims.

Healthy, happy employees also create a positive impression and can inspire others to adopt healthier lifestyle choices.

It is not only morally right to invest in employees’ health and well-being, but it also makes sound business decisions. A robust and long-lasting firm is built on a healthy workforce.

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