Every organisation or business can increase employee productivity, reduce staff illness and maintain a healthy and motivated workforce by taking a proactive approach to occupational health. In the wake of the Covid-19 lockdown and the continuing efforts to improve health standards in the workplace, occupational health services have never been more important in keeping employees safe and well at work.
The benefits of occupational health services
Ill health and workplace injuries are estimated to cost British businesses up to £13.8 billion per year, as of November 2022. Therefore, the investment in employee health and safety standards is a worthwhile undertaking that aims to reduce costs, increase productivity and improve employee satisfaction levels. Well-integrated occupational health services have been associated with better overall employee health status and productivity in the workplace, adding value through the reduction of costs associated with the prevention of ill health.
Reduce sickness absence
The key purposes of occupational health providers are to keep employees mentally and physically well and to reduce sickness absence. For many businesses, the investment in occupational health providers is a worthwhile and beneficial step when compared to the cost of loss of productivity and the knock-on issues associated with staff absence.
Provide surveillance services
An occupational health team will have a legal obligation to work in partnership with workers, employers and other healthcare providers to ensure your business meets its statutory responsibilities. This could include conducting risk assessments of working environments and ensuring that employees have a safe and healthy workplace. This is particularly relevant for hazardous workplaces, such as construction sites or workplaces that involve working with chemicals, handling heavy machinery or being exposed to continuous high levels of noise. Yet all workplaces come with associated risks and an occupational health team will benefit employees and employers in any business.
From here, the health team is able to implement adjustments at work for employees with health problems or disabilities, as well as continually monitoring threats to health. This may include providing ongoing surveillance of employee health and early assessment services when ill health becomes a risk. The occupational health team will be able to independently diagnose workplace-related illnesses and decide whether the employee is remaining in the workplace or must take leave. In either case, the team will be responsible for developing long-term and short-term accommodations or healthcare plans for the employee, as well as facilitating the employee’s return to work following a health-related absence.
Increase productivity and staff retention
An investment in workplace safety and employee health is an investment in employees and the future of a business. Providing an occupational health service for employees demonstrates a high level of corporate responsibility and consideration for employees which in turn can aid recruitment, retention and employee satisfaction levels, as well as improving the overall corporate image.
Similarly, early screening and surveillance services during the early stages of ill health ensures that time off is reduced by identifying and treating potential illnesses quickly. The longer employees are off work for ill health, the less likely they will be able to successfully return to their previous role. Studies show that there is only a 50% chance that an employee will make a successful return to work after an absence of 6 months or more, creating knock-on issues for employee retention and recruitment.
Occupational health providers offer an increased focus on physical and mental wellbeing and promoting healthy lifestyles. This focus will promote better employee health status and improve productivity in the workplace as it demonstrates a clear prioritisation of employee wellbeing, as well as the tangible benefit of reducing staff absence.
Education around preventative and control measures, such as the importance of sanitation or distancing, will also continue to promote long-term employee health and reduce the amount of time lost to staff illness.
Finding occupational health providers
When searching for occupational health providers look for those that ensure a proactive approach to occupational health and have a clear prioritisation of employee health and wellbeing. Ensure that they offer a comprehensive range of bespoke and personalised services to care for employees from ‘recruitment to retirement’.
Finding a provider that offers a flexible choice of services means you will benefit from the bespoke services that will fit the needs of your employees and business.
Ready to prioritise health and wellbeing within your business and explore the benefits of working with an occupational health provider? Search online for occupational health services or visit Heathrow Medical today to discuss your bespoke workplace health and wellbeing needs.