Prioritising Health & Safety at Work: Rethinking Employee Well-Being

Workplace health often emphasises employee engagement—tracking enthusiasm and commitment—as a measure of motivation and alignment with company goals. However, engagement alone doesn't capture all aspects of a healthy and safe work environment.

An engaged employee can still experience stress, burnout, or lack of psychological safety, issues that affect both individual well-being and organisational success. To cultivate a genuinely healthy workplace, leaders should look beyond engagement scores to create an environment where employees thrive holistically.

In 2003, the International Labour Organisation launched World Day for Safety and Health at Work, observed every year on 28 April. The aim was to prompt a global call to action aimed at raising awareness about the importance of preventing workplace accidents and diseases.

The initiative emphasises creating safe and healthy working environments as a collective responsibility of governments, employers, and workers. This day is a wonderful reminder that workplace safety is not just a policy—it’s a commitment to protecting lives and ensuring well-being in every industry.

The day also aligns with the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers, a movement started by trade unions in 1996, which is a powerful reminder of the dangers when safety measures are ignored, leading to serious workplace accidents and injuries.

Why employee safety and well-being at work matter

Employee safety and well-being at work are about fostering a culture of safety, preventing workplace hazards, reducing work-related injuries and diseases, and ensuring proper medical care and coverage for employees who are affected. 

Moreover, since people spend around maximum hours of their lives at work, the environment must be supportive and genuinely healthy. Prioritising employee well-being not only benefits individuals but also enhances productivity, retention, and business success. Addressing factors from stress management to psychological safety builds a sustainable and positive workplace culture.

Here are several key components for creating a truly healthy workplace:

1. Employee Well-being and Stress Levels

Workplace health begins by understanding employees’ mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Regular surveys or pulse checks help identify burnout, stress, or exhaustion, even when engagement appears high. Gauging employee resilience allows organisations to pinpoint stressors and offer targeted support such as mental health days, on-site counseling, or stress management workshops.

2. Turnover and Retention Rates

High engagement doesn’t always equate to low turnover; it may mask underlying dissatisfaction. Monitoring turnover and conducting exit interviews can reveal gaps in areas like career growth, work-life balance, or management support. Addressing these gaps helps improve retention and builds loyalty among employees.

3. Psychological Safety

Psychological safety is crucial for a supportive workplace where employees feel safe to express themselves without fear of judgment. This includes the freedom to share ideas, ask for help, and report concerns. Regular assessments through surveys, one-on-one meetings, or focus groups can gauge psychological safety and are vital for fostering a positive work culture.

4. Workload Balance

Engaged employees may be willing to take on extra work, but over time, this can lead to burnout. Monitoring workload balance ensures that demands are manageable and that employees aren’t consistently overextended. Tools like time-tracking software and regular feedback sessions help highlight areas where adjustments or additional resources might be needed.

5. Physical Health and Ergonomics

Physical health is an essential aspect of workplace wellness. Ergonomic furniture, adequate lighting, and clean, comfortable spaces support well-being and productivity. For remote or hybrid setups, offering home office support and wellness programs can help maintain healthy working conditions.

6. Career Development and Growth Opportunities

Career development is key to employee satisfaction. A workplace that prioritises growth opportunities demonstrates support and investment in its people. Offering training, mentoring, and project rotations can encourage personal and professional growth, aligning with employees' goals and promoting a sense of purpose.

7. Work-Life Integration

High engagement can sometimes mean over-commitment, leading employees to sacrifice personal time. Encouraging work-life balance through flexibility, remote options, and regular check-ins helps employees maintain personal fulfillment without burnout. When work aligns with personal life, motivation stays high without compromising health.

8. Recognition and Reward Satisfaction

Recognition validates employees’ efforts, fostering a positive workplace experience. Simple gestures, like public acknowledgments or celebrating achievements, significantly boost morale. Tracking recognition satisfaction can indicate whether employees feel valued and appreciated.

Defining a Healthy Workplace

The United Nations Organisation (UNO) underlines new and emerging workplace risks, emerging from changes in technology, work conditions, or employment types. These are: 

• New technologies and production processes (e.g., nanotechnology, biotechnology)
• New work conditions (e.g., higher workloads, work intensification as a result of layoffs, poor conditions from worker migration, informal economy jobs)
• New employment types (e.g., self-employment, outsourcing, temporary contracts)

These risks have become clearer thanks to better scientific understanding, like how ergonomic problems (poor workplace design) can lead to musculoskeletal disorders, injuries, and other health issues. Changing views, such as recognising how psychosocial factors affect work-related stress, also play a role. The latest addition to this is cyberattacks, which target fatigued and stressed employees, making them easy victims.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a healthy workplace goes beyond the absence of hazards; it actively promotes employees' well-being. Safe, clean spaces, clear communication, and inclusivity create a thriving work environment. Beyond compliance, a healthy workplace reduces absenteeism, boosts productivity, and enhances the organisation's reputation.

In contrast to toxic work environments—where gossip, poor communication, and conflicts are common—healthy workplaces exhibit trust, camaraderie, and inclusivity. Employees feel respected, supported, and valued, which strengthens organisational culture and drives success.

8 Steps to Create a Healthy Working Environment

Creating a healthy workplace requires consistent, proactive efforts. Here are practical steps that can help:

A Shared Responsibility: Health and safety protocols are not just paperwork for HR and workplace safety trainers; they are a commitment that requires the effective implementation and active participation of all employees (at all levels) to ensure workplace safety becomes a top priority and is fully attended to. 

Australia-based Workplace Safety, Wellbeing & Culture leader, Michelle Boundy underlines, "Involvement is essential for effective workplace safety. Encouraging your team to actively participate in the development and refinement of safety protocols fosters a sense of ownership and commitment.

When employees are engaged in creating safety measures, they gain valuable insights into potential hazards and practical solutions specific to their work environment. This collaborative approach promotes innovation, ensuring that safety protocols are not only effective but also tailored to the workplace’s unique needs.

Rather than seeing safety as a top-down mandate, employees view it as a shared responsibility, leading to greater adherence and a safer, more cohesive work environment."

Ensure Cleanliness and Comfort: A clean workspace enhances comfort and productivity. Clutter-free desks, sanitised areas, ergonomic furniture, and clean air filters create a more inviting environment.

Priyanka Salot, co-founder of The Sleep Company explains how ergonomics can enable smart work for modern-day professionals. She writes, "Creating an ergonomic work environment involves a combination of proper equipment, education, and workplace culture.

Regularly evaluating workstations and workflows to identify areas for improvement is essential. This includes assessing desk height, chair support, monitor placement, and keyboard and mouse positions.

The health benefits of ergonomics extend beyond preventing workplace injuries. By creating a comfortable and supportive work environment, ergonomics can improve overall well-being and reduce stress.

Employees who use ergonomic chairs experience less physical pain and fatigue, leading to higher job satisfaction and morale.

The reduction in work-related health issues can decrease absenteeism and healthcare costs for both employees and employers."

Priyanka also shared, "Encouraging employees to take regular breaks and move around helps prevent stiffness and reduce the risk of MSDs.

Providing ergonomic training educates employees about the principles of ergonomics and the importance of maintaining good posture and ergonomically sound practices,".

"Work" doesn't only refer to office setups at the company; it also includes remote and hybrid teams. To ensure these teams have a comfortable work setup at home, they should be guided on best practices for this remote work culture. Colonel Harinderjit Singh, Secretary Director at the Ministry of Defence India, shared some valuable tips:

"Ensuring a safe and comfortable workspace while working from home is essential for productivity and well-being. Start by choosing a quiet, well-lit area with an ergonomic chair and desk setup to prevent strain. Keep the space organized and free of clutter to minimize distractions. Proper lighting and ventilation improve focus and comfort. Take regular breaks to stretch and rest your eyes. Lastly, maintain boundaries between work and personal life to reduce stress and enhance efficiency."

Promote Wellness Programs: Wellness programs—covering flu shots, office yoga, or mental health resources—encourage healthy habits, contributing to both mental and physical well-being.

Recognise Individual Needs: Understanding that employees have unique needs can improve satisfaction. Regular feedback and one-on-one meetings allow leaders to accommodate diverse preferences.

Michelle added, "The heart of effective safety leadership is: listen first, then educate with clarity and purpose. Using simple, relatable language makes safety real and relevant, not just another compliance exercise.

Framing safety as a way to empower performance and protect wellbeing, rather than just enforce rules, is a powerful shift. It fosters a culture where people feel cared for and confident — and that’s when real engagement begins.

This is exactly how trust, accountability, and high-performing teams are built."

Address Bias: Unconscious or intentional biases can harm team morale. Training to recognise and address bias promotes an inclusive and respectful environment.

US-based Safety Director Jorge De La Torre explains that when team members openly ignore safety hazards (as it may not be harming them), it can open the door for important workplace safety discussions. He shares, "For me, fostering open safety discussions starts with trust, relationships, and culture. Building that foundation is essential. We all know tools like near-miss reporting, toolbox talks, suggestion boxes, and stand-downs, but I wanted to go further.

I introduced Safety Table Talks, a program bringing frontline workers into a breakfast setting to openly discuss WIIFM (What’s In It For Me) and their WHY for working safe.

These conversations have been invaluable—hearing their stories and insights helps us improve and reminds me why safety culture matters. Connecting with those who build our projects is incredibly rewarding."

Encourage Mental Health Breaks: Regular breaks, like quick walks or screen-free time, support mental health. Promoting self-care helps employees recharge and reduces stress.

Support Work-Life Balance: Offering flexible schedules and respecting boundaries improve work-life balance. This reduces burnout and helps employees maintain satisfaction inside and outside of work.

Acknowledge and Reward Efforts: Recognition drives motivation. Small acknowledgments, such as thank-you notes or team celebrations, boost morale and make employees feel valued.

Promote Healthy Eating: Providing nutritious snacks like fresh fruit encourages physical wellness. Sharing nutrition tips or hosting cooking workshops can further reinforce healthy habits.

A healthy work environment benefits both employees and employers by reducing turnover, increasing job satisfaction, and laying the foundation for sustainable success. Creating a positive culture where employees feel safe, respected, and empowered to grow is essential for personal and organisational achievement.

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Healthy workplaces foster innovation, collaboration, and high morale, driving employees to reach new heights. For organisations aiming for long-term success, investing in a balanced, supportive work environment is one of the most strategic moves they can make.

Noriko Takasaki, Security Director, Assistance-Asia for International SOS shared with us, "While organisations can implement various measures, it's fundamentally important to establish basic and comprehensive risk management protocols. This could involve crisis response strategies and unit incident responses, but given the volatility and elevated risk environment, there is also a need for enhanced physical security measures.

Establishing robust communication and coordination mechanisms is key. Additionally, organisations need to be prepared to provide support structures if anything occurs, which helps to reduce unnecessary stress and offers reassurance."

Also, "organisational readiness is vital, but individual employee preparedness is just as important. "

"it's not just about physical security—having the ability to respond instantly is important, but so is the ability to address concerns. Whether these concerns are security-related, medical, or psychological, it's crucial to have open lines of communication and a focus on overall well-being," 

"Regular check-ins are crucial, and employees must know how to use tools like international assistance to stay safe. Awareness of cultural contexts is also critical, as it helps employees navigate different environments safely," she added.

8 Key Metrics to Measure Workplace Health (Beyond Engagement)

To assess workplace health holistically, here’s a quick summary of additional metrics to consider:

1. Employee Well-being and Stress Levels: Regular surveys to identify stress and burnout.
2. Turnover and Retention Rates: Track turnover to understand satisfaction and career progression.
3. Psychological Safety: Assess employees’ comfort in voicing concerns.
4. Workload Balance: Identify and address signs of overwork.
5. Physical Health and Ergonomics: Evaluate workspace conditions and provide ergonomic support.
6. Career Development and Growth Opportunities: Track participation in development programs.
7. Work-Life Integration: Monitor flexibility and satisfaction with personal time.
8. Recognition and Reward Satisfaction: Ensure employees feel valued and motivated.