Prioritizing Employee's Health at Work

Healthy employees tend to have stable energy, proactive behavior, higher productivity and focus. Not only at home, the work environment is very influential on the health of employees. This is very reasonable, considering that employees spend a lot of time at work.

Therefore, when employees have sedentary and unenthusiastic work habits, this can be harmful to employee health. As an employer, it is only natural for companies to prioritize health in the workplace. That way the welfare of employees and the company will be fulfilled.

How to maintain the health and welfare of employees

The health and well-being of employees is their physical and mental state, both inside and outside the workplace. It considers medical conditions or other behavioral habits, such as energy level, mood, and motivation. If an employee's health or well-being is compromised, it can affect not only their performance, but that of the team, and the company.

Meanwhile, if the company invests in employee health, attendance rates will increase, health insurance will decrease, job retention will be greater, and employee satisfaction will be met. Therefore, prioritizing the health of employees in the workplace is very valuable. To achieve better employee welfare, here are ways you can do it at work.

1. Evaluation of employee health risks

It is not enough to just provide health benefits, companies must also provide health programs in the workplace. To start with, companies can conduct screening with questionnaires regarding health risks or physical examinations. Through this information, companies can plan health programs more efficiently than through general information.

Usually the wellness program will include primary preventive care for employees who have risk factors for chronic disease. Not to forget also secondary prevention which is used to improve disease control towards chronic. For example, arthritis, asthma, or diabetes. Preventive care like this has been proven to reduce health costs for each employee.

2. Provide healthy snacks

Another strategy to promote employee health in the workplace is to eliminate cravings for unhealthy foods. If at work there is a vending machine that contains unhealthy soda or instant snacks. Habits like this will later make employees live in unhealthy patterns.

To overcome this habit, companies can replace it with healthy food and drinks at work. For example, replace soda with juice and instant snacks with granola bars. Besides that, do a campaign to reduce consumption of fast food. If necessary, provide catering, so the company can control employee food consumption.

While building a workplace that promotes well-being and health, conduct a survey to identify healthy foods and drinks that employees like. Because open communication with employees about changes will help ease the transition.

3. Offer a fitness membership

Rewards, initiatives, and perks, such as yoga and gym memberships are great techniques for increasing motivation and health and fitness at work. Health facilities like this provide opportunities for employees to exercise more often. Enrolling employees in group classes can also build the possibility of employees to become more intimate and strong.

Companies like Google provide gyms at work, while others, like Microsoft, provide funds for their employees to take gym classes. Both are done to improve the health and fitness of employees. Because the best way to improve fitness is to do sports. If the employee is fit, the higher the productivity generated.

4. Provide counseling services

It is not only physical health that needs attention, but also mental health. One way that can be done to improve employee mental health is to provide counseling services or access. This is done because not everyone is comfortable with face-to-face counseling. However, asking about personal health is also very important. Therefore, provide counseling access 7/24 that is ready to answer all questions regarding employee mental health.

5. Implement an ergonomic environment

Applying ergonomics helps adapt work to employees. This is achieved by designing a work environment that maximizes ease of use, safety and overall health. Types of chairs, tables, lighting, colors, and other elements of the work space are simple things that are actually important for the continuity of employees. Because unknowingly these things are closely related to the safety and comfort of employees in the workplace.

Providing health programs for employees is not just limited to making employees healthy. However, it is also to understand the behavior, motivation and support and encouragement of employees. Therefore, an understanding of employee behavior is an important component in the success of the program in the company.