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Prioritizing the Health of Your Associates Is Great Business

By Javier Cardona - 1DOC3
CEO

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By Javier Cardona | CEO - Tue, 02/15/2022 - 13:00

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Talking about health after the havoc we are still experiencing from COVID-19 may be normal or repetitive for some but we cannot overlook the challenges that organizations have had to face to keep producing. Safety, well-being, and health regulations are part of our present and future. Even if we want to return to "normality," ensuring comprehensive health services to employees will bring long-lasting benefits.

It is not just about complying with the laws of each country regarding the obligations that apply; it is about understanding and creating a plan of action that allows employees to live more peacefully and happily in a productive and responsible role as a worker but that holistically supports them in the other areas of their lives.

"It is of great concern that despite the evident and growing need for mental health services, which has become even more acute during the COVID-19 pandemic, good intentions are not matched by investment," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.

But why does corporate health contribute effectively to business? Because well-cared-for employees are more productive employees. Increased work productivity is perhaps the most important point of all, as it is a key characteristic and the one that is most evident when care is neglected.

Another benefit is the prevention and reduction of absenteeism, a major concern of business leaders. There would be less time off to visit the doctor, fewer staff absences due to sickness and a more compact workforce able to work at its best.

All this boils down to considerable cost savings.

What can companies and business leaders do?

  1. Generating flexible spaces

We're not talking about a big, beautiful place, we're talking about a workspace that understands the needs of each employee and contributes to the way they do things. Flexible working is a term used to describe a company that has different and accessible locations, remote working and staggered or partial schedules that accommodate the goals and objectives of each employee.

In this case, flexible working not only benefits employees who find a different way of working much more relaxed, it is also beneficial for companies, which can optimize expenses by saving on office costs and everything else involved in having an office.

  1. Investing in health in the short, medium and long term

Think of it as a long-term investment. Taking care of our employees and their families is fundamental to establishing long-lasting and useful relationships. Motivating and promoting healthy actions and activities can improve the working environment of any company.

There are different options to cover the health needs of our employees and if COVID-19 left us with anything, it was the opportunity to find in digitalization timely and immediate solutions that contribute to and support the achievement of these health goals.

Doing sport, eating well and taking care of your mental health are the three steps to make a real impact.

Why not think about telemedicine platforms that help companies to centralize their health needs? According to figures from 1DOC3, the consultations allow the identification of situations where timely intervention is possible and where companies can benefit. Some of these situations are:

  • Affected emotional well-being: anxiety and depression (27 percent)
  • Potential occupational health and/or disability situations (12 percent)
  • Risks associated with chronic diseases (5 percent)
  • Other (11 percent)

A study by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with demanding jobs and little control over them are 58 percent more likely to suffer from ischaemia and 22 percent more likely to suffer from a cerebral hemorrhage.

Providing these types of benefits and tools is giving employees the importance they deserve, and in my experience, they will give it back through responsibility, productivity, leadership and love for the company.

In the 1DOC3 app over the last two years, user enquiries from partner companies have increased a hundredfold.

Adapting to these new demands will be the biggest challenge for employers in 2022. Health is inherent in all aspects of everyone's life and the workplace is no stranger to this situation. The pandemic continues to present great challenges but we have been able to create new relationships, generate a real impact on our internal and external customers and, most importantly, optimize many costs and processes.

Companies that want to be leaders in their profession will have to think about, motivate and implement actions in which health and well-being are at the forefront, regardless of the sector in which they operate.

Photo by:   Javier Cardona

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