When an Australian study considered the combined effects of self-rated work performance and absenteeism data they found that the healthiest employees are almost three times more effective than the least healthy.  The healthiest employees worked approximately 143 effective hours per month compared to 49 effective hours per month by the least healthy - Medibank Private 2005, The health of Australia’s workforce.

We all know that people are vital to business results, and it's up to management, executives and safety professionals to create a safety culture that puts employee wellbeing first. A systematic approach to staff wellbeing, in addition to safety compliance, can deliver enormous business benefits.

There are six emerging trends that are impacting the practice of Occupational Health and Safety.

The feelings of frustration and helplessness you get when you’re failing to reduce heart health incidents and empower staff to live their healthiest lives are understandable. You know that poor health status has a great impact on performance while at work and that it also increases work-related absences — thus creating a substantial economic burden on the industry through both lost productivity and absenteeism.

• 1. The extending reach of automated systems and robotics: Digital technologies like automation, artificial intelligence and augmented reality continuously advance in capability and decrease in cost, and they are likely to enter the work environment in greater numbers and in a wider variety of roles, including OHS.

2. Increasing availability of Self-Management Tools: This same technology is also delivering new ways for individuals to manage their own health risk factors, and to take early action.  Many of these cost-effective tools are being accessed by business and organisations as staff wellbeing initiatives.

3. Rising issue of workplace stress and mental health issues: The prevalence of work-related stress and mental health issues are reported to be increasing in the Australian workforce. Tight deadlines, long working hours, and the resulting lifestyle outcomes are all contributing to psychological injuries claims. Complaints about workplace bullying also factor.

4. Rising screen time, sedentary behaviour and chronic illness: Sedentary behaviours and extended screen time are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity and diabetes. These health issues are common to people of all ages. Mature executives and workers who bring valuable experience to a business, are often at an even higher risk.

5. Blurring the boundaries between work and home: The rise in flexible working due to digital technologies is steadily increasing, and it’s blurring the boundaries between work and home. 

6. Ageing population: The Australian workforce is facing several key changes, and the demographic shift towards an older workforce is one of them. 

Empowering self-management of health and wellbeing becomes an important opportunity for business leaders with an eye to productivity and business continuity, no matter what the age profile of staff members.

As culture shifts and lifestyle diseases become more prevalent, health and wellbeing of staff and customers in the workplace is becoming a greater priority. One of the first steps that innovative business leaders and Safety Managers can take right now is to explore heart health awareness training and mental health awareness programs.

In addition to ensuring strong safety compliance and emergency response measures are in place, easy to implement preventative tactics could be the foundation of future proofing your organisation.

Do you want to know more about how to manage the risks to your productivity and business continuity of Heart Disease? Download our checklist “Workplace Wellbeing: Small changes for healthy hearts and minds.”