Businesses going beyond the call on health and well-being

Friday, 27 October 2017

Vodafone head of HR, Katie Williams says looking after employees helps combat workplace injury and illness.

We continue our series on the UN-sanctioned steps businesses are taking to meet their sustainable development goals and to reduce negative impacts on society.

Kiwi employers are ever finding ways to keep staff happy, healthy and productive.

Sanford's Timaru site manager Grant Day says workplace changes come from the top, but leaders also have to consult their front line staff.

Be it group sporting activities, healthier food or promoting mental wellness, businesses have made good health and well being of staff a priority.

Institute of Directors chief executive Kirsten Patterson said firms that went beyond their legal requirements also drove performance and productivity.

'Ultimately it's all about driving culture, and culture is not something you can legislate for,' Patterson said.

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Fishing company Sanford has committed itself to the UN-sanctioned sustainable development goals and has fostered a work environment that encouraged its employees to voice their concerns on health and safety issues.

Sanford's Timaru site manager Grant Day said his workplace had changed the food it served in its cafeteria, provided mentoring to employees trying to quit smoking and offered team sporting activities on recommendations mades by employees.

He said the change had to be implemented from the top but people at the front line had to be consulted with.

'It's about leadership, legislation is the minimum standard. Good leadership is empowering your team.'

But Patterson said more businesses needed to make this a priority as New Zealand's health and safety record was just not good enough.

'We still have a number of people not returning home because of work related accidents. That's something we need to do better at as a country. The financial cost of these incidents are also significant.'

Work-related accidents account for about 50 to 60 fatalities a year.

Vodafone has taken preventative measures to safeguard its workers' wellbeing by developing programmes that focus on all areas of health.

Its Manawa Ora programme encompasses a wellbeing check tool and digital health risk assessment, raises awareness of mental health week and offers budgeting sessions.

Vodafone also offers all permanent employees and their families free health insurance.

The company's head of human resources Katie Williams said its new office building in Smales Farm will also have a fitness and games room as well as a parenting room.

'Looking after our people and their families helps combat workplace injury and illness, and promotes overall wellbeing,' Williams said.

Patterson said the issue was not a political one and the private sector needed to collaborate to take responsibility for shedding light on the importance of health and safety.

Tips for employee wellness

- Identify and understand the health risks that exist in your business and create a plan to manage those risks. Start by asking your staff some simple questions – where does your clothing get dusty? Or where do you find it hard to talk to each other?

- Help staff identify mental health risk factors and symptoms in the workplace. Consider inviting a mental health professional to provide free and confidential screenings. Or encourage staff to check out free online tools, like the Mental Health Foundation's Open Minds Programme or Five Ways to Wellbeing at Work Toolkit.

- Include some work-related health indicators in your health and safety reporting, so it stays on your radar.