Whether you are a large private organization, a startup, or a government enterprise, ensuring employee safety is a critical responsibility for every employer.
Every employee – regardless of age, gender, culture, race, or religion – should feel safe in the workplace.
‣ Why Employee Safety Matters Today
Recently, there has been a noticeable drop in employees’ sense of safety.
Reports such as SafeDay highlight increased workplace risks related to COVID-19, including:
- health and safety risks
- psychosocial risks
- ergonomic challenges
These factors have significantly impacted how employees perceive safety at work.
‣ Challenges in a Changing Work Environment
Mass layoffs and changes in the work environment have further affected employee safety and stability.
While employers are also facing uncertainty, they still have a responsibility to support their teams and improve employees’ sense of safety.
With the rise of remote work, maintaining this sense of security has become more challenging – but still essential.
‣ Key Measures to Ensure Employee Safety
To improve workplace safety, employers should follow several practical steps:
- Establish a Remote Work Policy
During the pandemic, people struggle, and many are even afraid to visit the physical offices.
Establish a clear policy regarding working from home. This will require a balance between effectiveness, productivity, and the need to provide flexibility nowadays. - Maintain Hygiene and Safety Standards
If you are managing a workplace at medium risk and employees are visiting the office, make sure to clean and disinfect at least two times a day objects and surfaces that are touched regularly.
Consider suspending any activity where physical distancing of at least one meter cannot be implemented in full. - Communicate Transparently
To increase occupational safety, your employees should feel that someone is navigating “the boat” toward a safe shore.
Share with our employees your vision and plans regarding COVID-19 and try to provide them a feeling of security, that even if it is not the best period business-wise, at some point, with the right measures, it will stay in the past.
