There are a number of ways you can help keep your employees healthy. From making sure that they have a good, safe workspace to investing in a wellness program, you can make a difference in their overall health.
Redesign work to support well-being
Increasing employee well-being and reducing burnout requires a redesign of work. In this context, the term redesign means changing tasks, responsibilities, and the environment of a job.
Changing the job can increase employee well-being, productivity, and resilience. The results can be immediate and lasting. However, to get the most from this approach, organizations should engage employees in the process. Using their ideas and input can increase the likelihood of a positive impact.
Work redesign can be undertaken in small or large scales. For instance, a company may redesign its IT department to allow workers to work remotely. Or, they may design an entire company to focus on reducing stress and burnout. These changes can help employees perform better and have a positive effect on the organization as a whole.
Promote awareness of alcohol-related health issues and deaths in your workplace
Alcohol misuse is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States, especially in situations like traveling. Harmful alcohol use can impact the productivity of businesses and individuals.
Workplace alcohol interventions should be multifaceted. They may include health promotion programs, risk reduction, and policies to encourage drinking within limits. The goals should be specific and customised to the needs of the workplace.
Research has found that high-risk alcohol use can have adverse impacts on the productivity of workplaces and individuals. It can lead to slow reaction times, reduced work performance, increased absenteeism, and poor decision-making.
Occupational legislation can also address the issue. Employers have an obligation to protect employees from alcohol-related harm.
Invest in an adequate workspace
A quality workspace has a number of benefits, from improving productivity to reducing stress. It’s no secret that the office has undergone some major transformations over the past two decades. One of the most pronounced changes in the last few years is the move towards open floor plans and a more fluid employee work flow. These changes will help to ensure the right mix of employees are able to access the workplace. As a result, this particular trend will help to create a more conducive atmosphere, with fewer interruptions and a better work/life balance.
While there are certainly no guarantees, a well-planned and executed workplace can boost employee performance. The best part is, implementing these changes won’t be all that expensive. Investing in an adequate workspace for your staff may seem counterintuitive, but the resulting rewards will be a long-term payoff. Considering that health-conscious employees are more productive, it’s a no-brainer to spend some cash on this type of initiative.
Redesign care journeys
Redesigning care journeys can help improve healthcare service delivery. Healthcare workers are often tasked with non-value added tasks. A redesign can help eliminate these tasks, while creating new opportunities for staff to practice at the top of their license. It can also help create a more user-friendly experience. Using a patient journey mapping tool can help identify gaps in care and provide insight on how to address them. The tool provides an overview of patient experiences and enables recognition of patterns in disease progression and deterioration.
One hospital has developed a relationship-based model of care that focuses on patients’ needs and interests. A redesign of their inpatient nursing care allowed them to decentralize their nursing counter and embed nurses in patient cubicles.