It is generally recognized that a healthy and safe workforce can contribute to a competitive business advantage. Even at normal times, employers in Myanmar need to pay attention to the health and safety of their employees because they know that unplanned absences lead to significant productivity losses across the organization.
It has been nearly four months since the unfolding of the global pandemic. Many companies in Myanmar have now restarted their business operations by following the health and safety regulations and procedures issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports. Further to these guidelines, companies can create a safe and healthy workplace for their employees by following the simple steps below.
1. Set Clear Health and Safety Guidelines
After public measures are lifted, most of companies are preparing the return to the office be it full time or part time. Employers should have preventive measures in place such as implementing hygiene facilities and promoting social distancing to minimize the number of meetings among staff, cleaning the office more often and thoroughly and ideally by providing transportation arrangements.
2. Encourage Employees to have a Healthy Lifestyle
As people are in general more health conscious in this period and more likely to pay attention to advice, it is a great opportunity for companies to help educate their members on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. Employers can do so by providing health tips via email or on notice boards at the office.
3. Promote a Culture of Health and Well-Being at Workplace
Similarly to the aforementioned point, organizations can create programs that consists of health education, diet and weight management programs, online fitness program, coaching and medical screenings, or increase the quality of foods in the cafeteria. Especially during monsoon season in Myanmar, some companies provide annual flu vaccinations programs as part of their workplace wellness strategy which can offer many benefits to their employees.
To recap, proper attention to employees’ health and safety has extensive benefits to organizations. A well-managed health and safety program can create a safe work environment for employees. A positive and caring employer brand image can enhance self-esteem of the workforce. Moreover, it can improve staff morale, reduce staff turnover, absenteeism, heath care/insurance costs and risk of fines and litigation as well as increase productivity. As a result, employees can reduce work related stress, improve morale, health and sense of well-being, as well as increase job satisfaction and engagement in turn.
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