Workplace Safety and Security

People are often shocked to learn that, on average, Americans spend about one-third of their lives at work, which equates to 90,000 hours or ten full years on the clock. Considering how work-intensive our society has become, it’s no wonder why workers value their wellbeing, safety, and security at work now more than ever.

Feeling safe and secure in the workplace and around co-workers isn’t a luxury today, it’s a necessity, and it’s incumbent upon employers to provide a healthy, safe, and secure work environment that’s conducive to productivity and wellbeing. 

But where do organizations and businesses start when thinking about how to implement the most effective employee safety measures? 

Below is everything you need to know about how to create a work environment that ensures safety and security in the workplace. 

The real dangers in the workplace

Safety and security takes on a variety of forms in the workplace, and it certainly involves more than just security guards and watch dogs. While you still want things like security cameras and workplace safety screenings, safety and security in today’s world has much more to do with what’s already going on in the office than it does with keeping exterior dangers out. 

While discussions of mental health have been stigmatized in the workplace for decades, the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have offered new opportunities for HR teams and businesses to discuss the wellbeing of their employees in a more productive and supportive manner.

As much as we try to ignore it, long hours, demanding deadlines, stressful workloads, and problems at home all take a toll on the mental health and wellbeing of workers. And overworking employees isn’t just bad for the workers themselves, it’s also bad for business because it limits productivity, innovation, loyalty, enthusiasm, and much more. 

All of this is to say that safety and security in the 21st century is about creating a welcoming and stress-free environment where employees can feel better and more enthusiastic about the work they do. 

What goes into employee safety and security in the workplace

Now that we’ve gone over the value of prioritizing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, how can you start creating a more open, secure, and safe work environment for employees today?  

Below are a number of effective strategies that prioritize the safety, security, fitness, and mental health of your workers.

• Diversity training - We all know that diversity in the workplace can bring new perspectives to the table and make you more competitive by seeking wider talent pools. When you have a workplace full of individuals from different backgrounds and cultures, it’s important to invest in a diversity training program that can contribute to a more inclusive company culture, discourage toxicity in the workplace, and highlight the strengths of your differences. 
• Health care benefits - The secret is out — healthier employees are happier employees, and happier employees are much more productive and much more likely to be loyal to your company or organization. When you invest in a robust and comprehensive health care benefits program, you’re investing in the longevity, efficacy, and wellbeing of your employees and company. 
• Open lines of communication to lodge complaints - A Salesforce report found that employees who feel like their voice is heard are nearly 5 times more likely to perform to their best ability. Communication is key in any work environment, and creating a work space where employees can be open with their employer is a necessary step to safety and security in the workplace. . 
• Providing support on personal matters - For some individuals, work might be the only place they can find safety and security. Things like domestic violence in the workplace are becoming more talked about in the HR world because of how severe the impacts of domestic violence are on workers. Creating workplace domestic violence programs, providing more opportunities for dialogue, and building awareness on issues like domestic violence are all ways to help employees feel valued, cared for, and safe. 

The business world is changing, the paradigms are shifting, and mental health and wellbeing are finally being recognized as imperative to the success of a company. The above list is an excellent start to creating a more welcoming, positive, safe, and secure work environment today. 

Grokker has the tools to help employees feel and work better

Ensuring your employees feel safe and secure at work is win-win for everyone —   employees feel better about their jobs, employers can be proud of cultivating a vibrant and respectable company culture, and the business thrives in the process. 

From fitness and mental health to nutrition, sleep, and financial wellbeing, Grokker has created a comprehensive and engaging  platform that underscores the wellbeing of your employees and delivers results. 

With more than 4,000 wellbeing videos, intuitive reporting capabilities to track progress and goals, and seamless integrations that can fit into any company, Grokker offers a state-of-the-art wellbeing solution that checks all the boxes.

Learn more about how Grokker can help make your workplace safer and more secure today.