Businesses and organizational leaders are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of their employees. In recent years, worker safety laws have come under great scrutiny. Harrowing reports of child labor, bondage labor, and sweatshops fueling capitalism have angered consumers, social activists, and political leaders worldwide.
Today, businesses are scrutinized and actively criticized for their worker safety guidelines and regulations. Cultivating a healthy, safe, and inclusive workspace reflects an impressive public image that attracts customers and appeases governments. On the other hand, businesses accused of discrimination, harassment-enabling environments, and lack of worker safety succumb to negative publicity.
Embracing Worker Safety Laws
So, why should organizations follow worker safety laws? Several elements motivate organizations to align their employee policies with local and national regulations.
These include:
- A responsible and credible public image
- Avoiding negative publicity
- Attracting customers by cultivating goodwill
- Establishing a dynamic and attractive employer’s brand
- Avoiding legal trouble and costly lawsuits
Workplace hazards, be it physical or emotional, make reasonable grounds for lawsuits that attract negative publicity. Not only are these lawsuits financially burdensome, but they also result in loss of profits and customers. Organizations and businesses wish to stay out of turbulent waters and avoid legal trouble at all costs.
Following worker safety laws and regulations is the easiest route to avoiding courtroom debacles and loss of employee motivation. Employees can take companies to court for workplace harassment, bullying, and physical conditions that give rise to life-threatening health risks.
Suppose you have developed cancer due to asbestos exposure at work, and your employers intentionally neglected preventive measures. In that case, it’s essential to sit down with an attorney for a detailed lawsuit overview and press charges for damages. Given the recent improvements and advancements in workplace safety, employees are much more empowered than they were decades ago.
Following & Implementing The Law
Employers and employees must adhere to legal guidelines to define their relationship and responsibilities towards one another. It’s crucial to avoid leaving any aspect open to interpretation. Businesses must invest in detailed employee handbooks and manuals stipulating legal guidelines in the event of harassment or workplace injury. It’s also wise to establish a designated department or authority to deal with such cases with respect, dignity, and concern.
Let’s imagine two different scenarios. A man and woman volunteer at a dog shelter, and he greets her with a peck on her cheek. There’s nothing odd, illegal, or indecent with this situation. Now, let’s reverse the rules: a boss greeting a female employee with a kiss on the check. Here’s a scenario that can result in a sexual harassment lawsuit, regardless of the sincerity of the complainant’s motives.
How should an organization deal with disgruntled employees and provocative managers? It’s simple: by creating legal procedures and designated authorities to handle such cases in light of the law.
Benefits Of Embracing Worker Safety Laws
You may assume that your small business and 20 employees don’t need to embrace laws or legal regulations. You will find yourself thinking much differently when an employee meets an unfateful accident and holds you responsible for the calamity.
Worker safety laws come with a myriad of benefits and advantages. Let’s take a look at these benefits.
Protecting Your Employees
Businesses must protect all employees and workers operating on their premises or affiliated with their organization. Legal regulations dictate that companies must protect their employees from all kinds of illnesses, injuries, and harm. As such, any business must implement comprehensive safety measures and protocols to safeguard its workforce. This may include the addition of life-saving devices such as an automated external defibrillator. If you are a business owner, you can learn how to test your AED device in this guide by AED Leader to ensure its proper functioning during emergencies. By prioritising safety, businesses are not only adhering to safety protocols and guidelines but are also bolstering a culture of well-being that extends beyond compliance.
Some common workplace hazards include falls, slips and trips, asbestos exposure, asthma, and respiratory illnesses. Many employees are exposed to severe mental trauma resulting from sexual harassment and bullying. Protecting and nurturing employees against such hazards will create an inclusive, harmonious, and motivating organizational culture. It’s a good idea to have an employee or two (depending on the size and nature of your business) who are trained in first aid so they are able to administer basic emergency treatment in case of injuries; if you don’t have anyone trained up yet, you may wish to look for something like one of Skills Training Group first aid courses in your area and choose an employee or two who you can trust to go on it and get their certification.
Reducing Absenteeism & Employee Turnover Rates
Implementing worker safety laws gives birth to a safe and productive workplace. Naturally, such endeavors will work wonders at reducing absenteeism and employee turnover rates. Businesses that nurture and protect their employees attract top talent from the industry. They also enjoy higher levels of productivity and efficiency.
Employers can save enormous sums of money by reducing absenteeism and employee turnover rates. Recruiting and training new employees is a staggering expense, while production halts and disruptions are much more financially draining. A business can gain a lot by investing in the safety and wellbeing of its workforce.
Building Credibility
Modern-day consumers are highly empowered, inquisitively investigative, and increasingly conscious of human values and rights. The alarming news reports of sweatshops operating out of China and child labor fueling the fashion industry have shocked consumers worldwide. Consumers do not wish to associate themselves with brands that disregard employer safety and exploit their workforce.
Lengthy lawsuits and courtroom debacles result in negative publicity and loss of goodwill across the consumer audience. Establishing goodwill and credibility takes years of investment and reliable serve. And damaging it takes one news report headlining the monstrosity of workplace hazards and alarming workplace conditions.
Businesses that embrace and implement workplace safety laws establish goodwill and credibility within their industry.
Conclusion
Workplace safety laws and regulations apply to all businesses operating across all industries and sectors. Companies that actively protect and empower their employees manage to erect an inspiring and lucrative employer’s brand. They enjoy prestige and respect across their consumers, competitors, and industry stakeholders. In 2021, integrity and public image matter enormously.
