Workplace injuries have been a pressing concern for employees for years at this point. After all, severe injuries cost a great deal in both lost productivity and potential legal fees. As a result, it’s now a legal requirement for employers to prioritize health and safety. Thus, they often put strict procedures in place for any time an accident does happen.
However, in the last decade or so, many employers are also opting to take care of other aspects of employee health. Most commonly, this can be seen in benefits packages that include health insurance policies. But, many employers are also currently implementing things like more comprehensive occupational health services. These can include partnerships with urgent care providers, and, more recently, in-house therapy services as required.
In short, employers are increasingly treating employee health as a circular issue, rather than something that they deal with as and when. And, while taking this approach can lead to additional outlays upfront, it could end up saving employers money in the long-run thanks to the following benefits.
An ongoing focus on employee health can enhance productivity. It does so by both reducing the need for downtime and resulting in a happier workforce overall. After all, the healthier your employees are in general, the better able they’ll be to fight illnesses. Furthermore, they are more likely to perform to the best of their abilities at all times. Even better, with most of these services offered in-house, employers can reduce the need for absences for things like wellness checks. This makes it more likely that employees will keep on top of these priorities. Finally, it ensures that they never need to book time off to do so.
Workplace mental health is a growing concern for any employer looking to keep their teams happy and performing well. Yet, the invisible nature of mental struggles, and the embarrassment that continues to surround them, can see many employees leaving issues like anxiety and depression to escalate out of control. This can lead to potentially months spent off work. This is a risk that can be significantly reduced by implementing in-house therapy and counseling services. Encourage employees to attend routinely to keep their mental health in check, and their abilities up to standard.
High-quality candidates who have the pick of employers are now increasingly liable to consider benefits packages when choosing which position to accept. Thus, if one employer offers an inclusive healthcare offering over others who only offer, say, sub-standard insurance, then they’re liable to be swayed in that direction. As such, employers who provide these comprehensive health-based additions will be better able to ensure high-quality teams. This can enhance any business's reputation, and can bring the best quality connections and sales. All of which should help to more than cover the cost of those additional health offerings.
Adding to an employee benefits package is always a daunting move. But, with more and more employers shifting towards complete healthcare offerings with these benefits in mind, retaining a competitive advantage may well be reliant on your ability to keep your employees happier and healthier.
