Why Curating A Healthier Workforce Starts From The Top Down

It’s easy to think that it’s only the employees of a company or members of an organization that define the culture that develops. After all, they’re certainly a large part of it. But it’s also true that what an organization allows, encourages, and refuses to tolerate will also have a major effect. For this reason, workplace toxicity, discrimination, harassment, and unhealthy conflict can and should be stamped out, as should the cause of these issues be identified should they surface.

In many ways, the parameters of a healthier workplace culture and a healthier workforce will start from the top down. In some respects, that means being entirely responsible and fair about how you manage accessibility – for example opening your roles to everyone while also ensuring some safety-first jobs are properly vetted, like through railway medical checkups, is key. In line with this, you might remove implicit bias by removing personally identifying characteristics from every resume that is reviewed.

A Confidential Reporting System

Of course, a HR system should never be a weaponized tool, but it should be a clean and helpful measure for members to voice their concerns confidentially. This way, any bullying, harassment, discrimination or other similar issues can be immediately stamped out and properly processed. You can also indicate the exact measures of conduct you expect within your organization in the staff policy. It’s fair to say that those who have engaged in this behavior are unlikely to be valuable to your brand, and so immediate dismissal or similar disciplinary procedures, pending an appropriate investigation, can be an appropriate way to begin.

Sustaining A Health Conscious Workplace

While your company should never dictate exactly how people should manage their health outside of roles that require able-bodied interaction (such as safety roles where someone might be responsible for others), it’s good to implement healthy and optional schemes to keep your staff comfortable. You might offer fresh fruit and refreshments, coffee, and a bike-to-work scheme. 

You might include some health insurance in their package to attract top talent, make sure the air is filtered with HEPA filters in the office, or ensure great HVAC keeps the air fresh. You can also invest in ergonomic furniture to keep your staff in good posture and comfortable throughout the day. It all makes a difference.

Protecting Mental Health Without Intrusion

Your leadership should set the nurturing tone for the organization by recognizing that mental well-being is as important as physical health. To achieve this, you should actively encourage open discussions about mental health, reduce stigma, and promote resources for support. That might include resources for counseling and support, or a robust policy for helping staff if they deal with bereavement and other difficulties.

Mental health is also assisted by the little things, such as offering regular breaks, managing stress effectively, and maintaining work-life balance, especially with measures like remote work. This sends a powerful message to employees that their mental well-being matters to you.

With this advice, you’re sure to curate a healthier workforce from the top down.