Protect and Improve Employee Health

LOOKING BEYOND COVID-19 AND YOUR WORKFORCE

Physical and mental ill-health can strike at any time and addressing this in the workplace is vital to ensure employees are present and capable of performing their roles, and to reduce the rising cost of medical expenditure.

Protecting and improving employee health is not a short, simple process that can be concluded overnight. It requires long-term investment and an integrated strategy. It requires benchmarking, tracking and progress monitoring over time.

But when it comes to building a global strategy, it is important not to assume all health systems function in the same way. There are clear structural and cultural aspects that differ from country to country and your health advisor needs to understand both the local nuances, as well as how to structure and coordinate a global programme.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create challenges for organisations, as they respond to COVID-19 outbreaks and support employees’ mental health, Furthermore, the concept of 'workplace' is shifting as people increasingly work from home; we anticipate major changes in this area and an increased need for collaboration with local and national authorities.

In addition, organisations have a key role to play in improving health outcomes beyond their immediate workers: collaborating with the local health system as well as adding philanthropic support to communities. Many commercial organisations are doing just this and reaping the rewards.