Workers have a fundamental right to a safe and healthy working environment. It’s not enough that they are provided with a secure workspace. Other factors such as worker empowerment and well-being have to be considered as well.
It’s the employer’s legal and moral responsibility to ensure this basic right of workers. By protecting its workforce, the business also protects itself. The employee is the backbone of any enterprise, after all.
For increased company productivity
Unsafe working conditions expose workers to potential accidents and injuries, which can halt work and cost the company time and money. It can also dishearten the workforce into perceiving that the business does not care about their well-being.
Morale is a significant factor in worker productivity. Providing personnel with proper training, equipment, and workspaces can lead to increased productivity for the business. It’s also a clear sign that the business values its employees as an integral part of the business’ success.
To retain skilled and loyal workers
Given the same pay and work, naturally, employees will most likely choose to work for an enterprise that takes their physical and mental health into consideration rather than one that doesn’t. Nobody wants to be treated as a disposable cog in an unfeeling, money-making machine.
Aside from low employee retention, that kind of business will inevitably face poor recruitment rates as well. A business with poor working conditions isn’t exactly enticing to prospective employees.
In consideration of company finances
Employee safety and health should be a paramount concern for businesses looking to thrive in the long run. Financially, it makes sense to invest early on in accident prevention strategies and worker wellness programs, rather than deal with potentially expensive consequences. Getting sued by a worker for safety negligence can be a costly affair that can also be damaging to the business’ reputation.
Prevention is always better than cure. Some companies do medical check-ups and substance screenings, sometimes through hair drug test kits and the like, to ensure that the employees are in optimal condition for productive work, as well as nip potential problems early on.
To maintain the reputation of the business
Businesses with bad working conditions are generally vilified whenever they’re exposed in the media spotlight. Aside from poor personnel retention and recruitment issues, these businesses tend to be shunned by customers and investors unless left with no other alternative.
Brand image nowadays includes how well the business treats its employees. Given the abundance of choice in today’s market, brand image management is one of the most important marketing tools that can lead a business to success or failure.
Closing Thoughts
Workers are not emotionless, disposable machines. They have a fundamental right to safe and healthy working conditions. It’s the legal and moral responsibility of the employer to provide these conditions for the benefit of the workers and, ultimately, the business itself.
There will be unavoidable costs of ensuring the safety and wellness of the workforce. Managed properly, these preventive measures can be cost-efficient answers to the issue. The overall productivity benefits can greatly outweigh the financial investment as well.