If you own or manage a business, one of the things that will ultimately make your company profitable is the fact that you have to make your employees feel safe at work. Without that sense of duty and security, you’ll end up with low-quality employees, or you will have to fill jobs in your workplace that have a high turnover-rate as people leave to go somewhere else.
There are several types of safety to consider when it comes to your employees. There is physical safety, as they have to feel like they won’t be physically harmed in or around your business. There is psychological safety, which means that you provide a non-toxic workplace for them. There is financial safety in that they feel like the right types of insurance and financial buffer zones are present. And then there’s the fact that you should always ask for feedback to find out if there is something unusual that is making them feel unsafe.
To break it down into simple words, let’s take the example of a pharmaceutical company. If you own such a company, you may need to follow a set of guidelines for lab construction for providing your employees a safe space. Further, ensuring a work area free of harassment and lending financial support during emergencies can impact their sense of well-being. Let’s elaborate on each types of safety:
Physical Safety
The most important thing at work is physical safety. Especially with the jobs that are inherently dangerous, you have to make your employees feel that they are surrounded by all of the necessary precautions. In addition to doing things like following OSHA regulations, you should also let them know where the nearest urgent care facility is, where any first-aid kits are, and any other information as it pertains to their physical well-being. If they do not currently have an urgent care facility that is closest to them or is on their plan, then it would be wise for them to right now get that sorted out by looking into facilities like Windsor urgent care for example, so they are prepared.
A clean office is essential for employee safety, reducing the spread of germs, allergens, and improving air quality. Consistent, professional cleaning minimizes illness risks and shows your commitment to their health. For trusted cleaning solutions, visit Green Facilities website to see how they can help create a safer, healthier workspace.
Psychological Safety
Then there is the matter of psychological safety. Anyone who has ever worked in a toxic environment knows that it can feel psychologically damaging. If there are aggressive people at work, or ones that are consistently negative, as a hiring manager, you need to remove those people from the situation, so that everyone else can feel safe doing their jobs.
Financial Safety
Financial safety is another big factor. Do your employees feel like they are financially secure? Does your company have processes in place for things like Worker’s Compensation, overtime pay, or yearly bonuses? Even though the standard rate of pay isn’t necessarily what makes employees most happy, that sense of continuity financially can make a huge difference in their overall work efforts.
Asking for Feedback
Sometimes you don’t notice everything as a manager either. Sometimes you should ask your employees for feedback. Particularly when it comes to safety issues, there may be some aspect of the workday that you don’t entirely understand. It might be a place that they work in your shop. It might be a particular activity that they do. But if there’s any way that you can improve the safety of everyday activities, that should always be one of your top priorities, and a feedback loop is an excellent way to get that.
Additional Tips
Coupled with the above measures, it is advisable to place sanitizers and hand washes accessible to the staff to prevent the risk of infection. Further, usage of Commercial Disinfectants is recommended for cleaning and maintenance purposes. On top of that, encourage them to take periodical breaks to ensure that they are not fatigued.
Conclusion
To draw to a close, making your employees feel safe can mean providing them safe physical environments which are ergonomic and healthy. Moreover, promoting relaxational activities can show your dedication towards their mental wellness. Finally, cultivating standard fiscal policies and taking their feedback can be essential.
