Healthy companies, healthy organisations, and healthy work environments are terms we hear more often these days. But what lies behind these labels? At first glance, you might think you are obliged to advertise business initiatives that promote healthy habits, such as sport or nutrition, but in reality these concepts go much further.
We can start by defining what a healthy work environment looks like according to the World Health Organization: one that takes into account the risks of physical work and psychosocial health, but also gives employees resources to start healthy habits and gives back to society.
The traditional policies of prevention are integrated with Social Responsibility and Human Resources. The goal, in other words, is to integrate the welfare of employees into the business strategy in order to improve profitability and the health of employees.
Certified Top Employers are increasingly aware of the strategic importance of employee wellness. In fact, 95% of the 55 organisations that have this Top Employer certification in Spain noted the welfare of employees and executive management alike as a Key Performance Indicator.
To promote physical health in the workforce, these companies encourage sport or healthy nutrition. 44% for example, have sports facilities or the budget to allow employees to practise sports. In addition, many of them have engaged a dietician or implemented a healthy menu.
For example, Electrolux welcomes "Friday with fruit" to promote the consumption of these healthy foods. Abbvie has a special diet developed on the advice of its Medical Service Company, and PepsiCo offers online training in nutrition.
The concept of healthy enterprise also includes the increasingly prominent fight against psychosocial risks, which the European Union says is the second largest health problem related to work on the continent. Our research results show that between 50 and 60% of all working days are lost, which can be due to stress and psychosocial risks.
But what do companies do to build healthier work environments with a lower risk of stress? Some organisations have, for example, specific stress management programs (as do 58% of the Top Employers companies in Spain) or a confidential advisor (51%). An example of good practice would be the lender Bankinter, which has installed facilities to promote relaxation breaks during the workday.
Not to mention that more and more research shows that sport and proper nutrition also contribute to a better emotional balance and help you cope with stress.
Many companies are increasingly opting to comprehensively and strategically manage the welfare of employees in order to become "healthy businesses."
A clear example is how Accenture, with its "Your Well-being at its Best" campaign, wanted to promote the health of employees, their families, and even society in general. The implementation of this program, with its promotion of healthy habits, has helped the employees to begin self-assessing their health.
In short, to promote the wellbeing of workers increases their motivation. A healthy company not only has less absenteeism and accidents, but also a lower turnover rate and increased engagement and retention of talent.
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If you want to learn more about how healthy your organisation is by taking part in the Top Employers Certification programme please contact marketing@top-employers.com.
