The Benefits of Investing in Employee Health

Most businesses are familiar with the idea that a happy employee is a productive employee, and this is why they spend a lot of time and money investing in staff wellbeing.

This can be anything that makes them feel valued, from a card or small cake on their birthday to overtime and bonuses or organising away days and events which enable staff to relax and enjoy themselves.

Health benefits

But one of the biggest influences on people’s happiness is their health, which is why many firms often include it as part of their employment packages. It could be regular health checks, membership at a gym, discounts for eye tests and glasses if they are required for work, or vaccinations for staff whose job requires them to travel abroad.

Depending on the level of the role, it could also include private health or dental care, which gives the employee and even their family access to treatment when they need it and without the delays of NHS waiting lists. For the company, this means that an employee, even with a serious condition, could be treated and be back to work fully fit much quicker than someone who is waiting for a referral from their GP.

Morale

Whatever the level of the benefit, helping staff stay healthy improves morale, motivation and productivity. Being supportive and helping staff deal with health issues will create a far greater return for the business than one in which workers have to justify taking time off for appointments and are made to feel guilty that their illness or condition is affecting their colleagues.

By making staff feel valued and that a company really cares about them creates loyalty which will lead them to want to do more for it and make them less likely to go looking elsewhere, especially to a rival business.

And adding meaningful benefits such as health will help a business attract top talent when recruiting. It could be the difference between making a key appointment, instead of seeing them join a competitor.

Feeling valued

Whatever the health benefits offered buy a company, the key is making sure that workers feel valued every day, whether they are dealing with customers, suppliers and partners, or carrying out what can seem to be mundane tasks, but which are vital to the business.

This is because someone who is happy, motivated and enjoys their role will get a lot more done and be a far greater asset to a company than someone who is miserable, spends their time watching the clock and complains at every opportunity.

And they are far more likely to pull out all the stops to resolve problems and complaints if they feel they have the backing and support of their business and represent it with passion and loyalty.

Focus on health

But with day-to-day challenges of running a business – especially in a difficult economic environment – it isn’t easy to make employees feel valued and part of something worthwhile. As tough decisions have to be made, it is worth remembering that a loyal workforce is key to a business’ success, and health and happiness make up a big part of that.

Whether a business is a small, family-run firm or a multi-national organisation, all staff perform roles that are key to its success. 

Sir Richard Branson perfectly sums up what a business’ approach to its staff should be:

“If you look after your staff well, they will look after your customers.”