Health and businesses are designed to go hand-in-hand at all times. Indeed, with increasingly worrying workplace-related illnesses, companies can’t afford to ignore their responsibility when it comes to the health of their employees and clients.
Indeed, while everybody reacts with horror when reading cases about overworked Japanese employees who have been driven to their own death – through exhaustion – by their companies, we often forget that employers all over the world have a duty of care for their teams. Failure to do so can prove disastrous for the future of the business, its reputation, its market positioning and the people involved in the situation. Consequently, it’s crucial for aspiring entrepreneurs and new business ventures to fully understand the depth of their health responsibility for their customers and their employees. It’s not only a matter of reducing the costs associated with health issues, but it is also a matter of brand image, strategic competitiveness, and low turnover rate for the company, without mentioning the human costs.
Because some industry sectors can be deadly
Danger is everywhere in the professional world, whether you’re sitting at a desk or working on the roof of a building. Consequently, it is the primary responsibility of every business owner to run a professional risk assessment review in order to determine the most relevant health and safety policies. The image of builders enjoying a lunch break on top of a skyscraper – the photo is believed to have been staged by Rockefeller Center to promote their new building – is the kind of things you wouldn’t want to recreate anymore. Nowadays, the safety measures on construction sites are very strict, to avoid accidents and injuries related to the job. However, the construction sector remains one of the deadliest industry sectors. As a business owner, reducing risks maintains your workforce and your reputation.
Because customers don’t want to get harmed
Selling cheap products is thought to be the best way to remain competitive in a crowded market. But, you have to draw the line at the quality of the materials and production used. Cheap products are appealing to customers. But cheaply made products, in comparison, are a turn-off. When customers get injured by your malfunctioning products, the cases gain the attention of legal professionals – you can read here about some of the examples of product liability handled by Hughey Law Firm if you want to find out more. Ultimately, the scandal is likely to reflect negatively on your brand and affect your capital.
Are your products safe to the public?
Because ignoring mental health comes at a cost
Your employees are your most precious asset. As an employee, maintaining their health should be your priority. However, too many companies fail to tackle mental health issues in the workplace. Studies show that Millennials are among the most affected by stress, depression, and anxiety issues, however failure to acknowledge mental health at the office makes it challenging for employees to focus on damaging issues. In the long term, companies can be affected by low morale, increased sick days and productivity loss. It all changes when you take mental health seriously.
From a loss of reputation to productivity drops, as a business, you can’t afford to ignore your role in maintaining the health of your staff and customers. Think health when you’re planning your way to success.