The health of the employees in a company is very important. It is something that should never be ignored and never be taken lightly. Employees are the workers, the power of the company, and without them, there would be no progress and productivity, no work done successfully. That’s something bosses and authorities should bear in mind.
Humans as they are, employees do have some unhealthy lifestyle and bad habits that make them unhealthy and that lead to sickness. Well, that’s normal since people are people. The thing however when it comes to work is that there are things involved in it that make employees get sick often. That’s from the simple coughs and colds to more serious and more energy-draining ailments. Yes, there are things from work that cause them. It’s right to be informed, so below is a list of 5 of them:
[1] INSENSITIVE WORKLOAD
Work is work, and employees cannot really complain when bosses and team leaders assign them tasks to accomplish; it’s their job. Well, employees are not robots, and they will never be. When the workload gets too burdensome and very stressful, one of the most disagreeable results is getting sick.
Stress leads to many feelings of discomfort, inconvenience, and unwellness in every aspect of the human body. Additionally, the mind is included in those affected facets.
Stress tires out the mind and the body; a sad outcome is the inability to work properly and focus well. Especially when the employee’s body does not have a strong resistance to sickness and the effects of stress, he/she can get ill. That’s not yet all when the employees have other stressors at home and in their personal lives, which are undeniably existent.
This is why concern from bosses towards their employees can be shown by giving bearable workload and checking on them if they can still handle their assignments. Stress management exists, yet if bosses are insensitive about others’ struggles and health, it would still be difficult.
[2] OVER OVERTIME
With a workload that’s too much to handle without pressure, employees do spend some more time in the office because they have to meet deadlines. They are paid for their overtime shifts, but having proper rest is still priceless.
When employees go over their scheduled working hours, they go beyond their supposed limits for the day. There’s a tendency that they push themselves to overwork only to get work done before they have to present or submit them to clients and to bosses.
Sadly, even if they don’t want to overwork and go over time, they are left with no choice, especially when the number of workloads is too much for their schedules.
With this, they sacrifice some important needs such as eating proper food, sleeping enough and resting effectively. These three and more are just some of the essentials to move, function and work healthily, and of course, to live well. Without them, your employees can get sick often.
[3] CONTACT WITH SICK EMPLOYEES
Because employees stay in an enclosed office, when one gets sick, others will most likely be affected. Communicative ailments like cold and cough are fast-spreading since they can be shared and caught by air.
When sick employees still go to work and do not file sick leave requests, other employees who are not sick at all might acquire viruses and bacteria. That just makes things worse.
If one employee is really sick but needs to finish some work, be considerate to let them take a day off. Extend the deadline or ask someone else to help. It’s up to you to manage as long as you help your employees get well and recover first.
Meanwhile, if there are some employees who are slightly sick, make sure they wear masks in the office and avoid tiring themselves too much. Being kinder to your employees will never hurt anyone.
[4] INEFFICIENT SEATING FACILITIES
Sickness can also include back pain, knee pain and other uneasiness in other body parts. Inefficient seating facilities can lead employees to sickness. If employees sit all day at work with chairs that are not suitable for long hours of seating or not fit for the kind of work employees do, bad chairs must not be used.
An effective cushion, back support, armrest, and other chair parts are necessary. It’s strenuous to work using improper and lousy facilities that do not match health needs.
[5] LACK OF OFFICE CLEANING
Cleanliness is a top priority in the workplace. With it, employees maintain good health and productivity. Lack of it causes illnesses and idleness.
Dirty in looks, in smell and in feel, and unsanitary office is a place no one would like to stay in for a long time. Employees get sick and feel sick. Hygiene in the workplace has an impact on employee retention as well. Moreover, legal regulations are being disobeyed by dirty offices.
An office that looks dirty and smells nasty is definitely a big no! Disinfection and regular office cleaning should be observed. Employees should be responsible for throwing their own trash properly and keeping their personal stations and all areas neat, while the management must take control of the office’s general tidiness and healthy condition.
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WHY SICK EMPLOYEES
Indeed, employees don’t have their job and income without a company that hires them, however, companies don’t get their tasks done without hardworking employees who devote time and effort to give great results!
Employees must be taken care of by making sure that their health is maintained in good condition, and when they are feeling sick and unwell, they will be helped. Things at work that cause them to get sick often must immediately be paid attention to, so that they will not cause further harm and discomfort to your employees. It’s not just about profits for your business, but more on, looking after the people under your care.
AUTHOR BIO
Nicole Ann Pore is a writer, an events host and a voice over artist. Travel, health, shopping, lifestyle and business are among the many subjects she writes about. She also writes for Magic Cleaning Sydney, a cleaning and maintenance service in Australia. She graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.
