Workplace health views from a public health nurse

3 minute read

We interviewed one of Habitus’ colleagues in the collective, Barbara Ross. Barbara is a registered nurse with more than 35 years of experience, specialising in addiction and public health. We asked her advice on what workplaces could do to improve employee health and create a working environment that gets better outcomes from employees.

What responsibility do organisations have to support employee health?

A basic level of health is necessary for anyone to achieve a satisfying, autonomous life. A core component of health is a feeling of safety and control. Employment gives us that sense of control, purpose, and belonging that helps to promote or maintain good health. We might need to be healthy enough to work, but research tells us that work itself often gives us a major foundation for a healthy life. A job that meets our skills, abilities, and challenges us, makes us healthier. That is why health authorities across the world are investing in an ‘employment-first approach’. This intervention recognises that being out of work is more detrimental to people’s health overall, and if a person can maintain their current role either through adjustments or finding more suitable employment, it is far more likely that their symptoms improve faster, making it a win for the health system and for the employer.

What is public health?

Unlike the clinical doctor-patient 1:1 focus, public health programmes are community-based and have a focus on prevention. Simply put - it is about protecting and promoting health, and preventing illness through interventions such as education, workplace and community strategies, and public campaigns. These campaigns can range from vaccinations all the way to substance use and mental health and wellbeing.

How can employers provide the best environments for health?

The core values of public health – equity, participation, efficiency, effectiveness, affordability, and accessibility are easily transferable to the workplace.

People do their best work and achieve their most innovative accomplishments in collaborative groups which often promote shared respect and dignity. Having strong positive relationships between colleagues delivers better health outcomes, just as having weak, and more negative relationships with colleagues can result in poor health. Many of the ethical dimensions of public health are similar to the broader desire we have for a positive workplace culture.

Why should employers invest in the health of their employees?

Employees who feel supported, encouraged, and have good relationships with their colleagues and managers, are healthier and more engaged. Even with existing physical or mental health challenges, a positive workplace environment that promotes freedom, protection from harm and equal opportunities, supports and motivates them to succeed. Health challenges can be exacerbated or feel overwhelming to an employee when a workplace culture is not motivating.

Promoting health and wellbeing in the workplace is a win-win outcome for the employee and the employer. However, approaches need to be carefully designed to avoid the dangers of widening health inequalities and increasing stigma. Often when setting up policies that you hope will promote positive behaviours from employees, you can be inadvertently taking steps that diminish health outcomes. For example, encouraging and promoting employees to remain silent about their challenges can result in employees feeling shame or stigma around their condition. Instead, allowing employees to appropriately share their stories, should they wish, allows them to feel like they can bring their ‘whole selves’ to work.

Working with employees with physical or mental health conditions to inform and create policies can result in a healthier, happier, and more productive workplace environment.

Want help on taking first steps on improving the health of your workforce?

Habitus specialises in providing practical, lasting solutions to health issues in the workplace. For more information on how Habitus can help your organisation develop comprehensive support for your employees, click here. Alternatively, send us a message or call us on 020 7207 3186.