CASE 6

CASE 6;  Employee Wellbeing and health and safety at work

We have ten to hundreds of employees in our company, and work place safety must be self-evident topic. It is something non-negotiable, as employees are most valuable resource of companies, therefore focusing on wellbeing, health and safety of them is important factor when it comes to the maximum production. Researches shows that by improving worker safety since 1960 have decreased workplace deaths by 60% by 1970. Also as employees are valuable workforce and resources, it is mandatory to keep an eye on them and their safety when earning money for companies. In the 21^st century, workplaces that merely ask employees to work isn’t enough. They need not only safety in workplace, but different kind of wellness programs as well. E.g. lunch time yoga, gym classes, boxing classes, hiking classes, psychiatrist services and organizing occasionally activity days for whole company, because employees do not want only strong company culture, but a workplace that work with them and care for them as individuals.

Recently more companies are conducting wellness programs, there aren’t any rules how to do it, but rather what is the output and effect of the wellness program. However, there are some basic rules how healthcare.gov defines wellness program. So, to put it shortly, wellness programs are organized by employer to offer alternative/better options for healthier lifestyle, and doing their own part by preventing future health issues.

Wellness programs may include; Discounts to employees on their monthly health insurance premiums, cash rewards, providing discounted/free gym memberships, offering healthier food options at work, participation in smoking cessation and weight-management programs, psychiatrist-services, activity days for whole company, and what is widely seen in Asian countries, such as Japan and South-Korea, 15-20min morning exercise before work day.

Also, when talking about wellness of employess it does not restrict to how keep them well, but to how monitor they health as well. In trigger for our case young intern of Merrill-Lynch was found dead after working long hours. He had suffered from epileptic attacks since 2010, and had not informed employee about it. So we can also consider, when he was applying to be intern, what kind of application process did he go through? Did Merill-Lynch accepted him with two lenient grounds? Was he even asked about his medical and health records? If he had told his employer about his condition, would they have done something differently?

Sources;

Gomez, Balkin & Cardy 2016, Chapter 16. Managing Human Resources, 8 th edition, Pearson.

Taiken Japan, Morning Exercise.
URL; https://taiken.co/single/morning-exercise accessed; 02.05.2017

Youtube, Morning assembly 2012.
URL; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abg4hYyyUJE accessed; 02.05.2017

Youtube, Morning exercise in Japan 2012.
URL; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnZJINpzhs8 Accessed; 02.05.2017

Cambodia daily, Company leading laborers in twice daily exercise routine.

URL; https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/company-leading-laborers-in-twice-daily-exercise-routine-82877/ accessed; 02.05.2017