6 ways to create a healthy workplace for employees

Investing in employee health can transform productivity, improve lives, and generate significant economic value.

When employees are healthy — physically, mentally, and emotionally, they work better, stay longer, and feel more engaged. But many workplaces still struggle to prioritise employee wellbeing in a meaningful way.

A report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), lays out six key steps companies can take to build a healthier workforce.

Six steps for prioritising employee health

1) Understand employee health status and its value: Assess the baseline health status of employees through survey to see what support they need.

2) Develop sustainable health initiatives: Think beyond short-term projects and focus on a long-term, sustainable approach, high-quality, evidence-based interventions.

3) Try small changes first: Test what works before making big company-wide shifts.

4) Track progress: Use three to five metrics to measure success such as productivity levels, employee absenteeism, presenteeism levels, and employee retention rates.

5) Get leaders involved: Real change starts in the boardroom with a supportive environment where employees feel empowered to speak openly about their health challenges and seek the help they need.

6) Make wellbeing part of the company culture: Health should be embedded in how work is done, not just an extra benefit.

The WEF report shows that better employee health leads to organisation benefits. Companies with strong wellbeing programmes see fewer sick leaves, higher productivity, and better staff retention, it was highlighted.

On a bigger scale, investing in workforce health could add up to 11.7tn in global economic value.

In that vein, the report reminds that improving workplace health does not need to be complicated. Small steps such as encouraging regular breaks, offering mental health support, or redesigning workspaces to reduce stress can make a big difference. Companies that take action now can not only look forward to happier employees, but also a more successful future.

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