R&R Insurance Blog

Whether embedding a “health-first” mentality into an employer brand proposition or developing a multi-channel communication system to better deliver health messages to all employees, it is becoming increasingly clear: health is declining, individual attitudes are shifting, and the role of the employer in helping health decision-making is becoming more and more important.

Across all generations there is an opportunity for employers to improve their approach to health care-related technology. Millennials, Gen Xers, and Boomers all cite that an information-based website, including cost and quality information, is the most important thing an employer can do to assist in getting employees to access to the best health care services and programs.

Many workplaces today are generationally more diverse than in the past. Therefore, it is often difficult to determine the best form of communication, what health issues are important, and understand how each generation values the world of work and wellness.

Millennials (Generation Y), 1981 - 2000

• Leading positive health-thinking and behaviors
• Think holistically about health, prioritize stress management and sleep
• Want an innovative wellness program that caters to their needs and aligns with their preferences
• Collaboration with peers via discussion boards, team based competitions, peer to peer challenges, and motivational coaching.
• 73% of this generation says a company’s health and wellness programs makes one employer more attractive over another.

Generation X, 1965 - 1980

• More interested in the program’s voluntary benefits than the health benefits; want incentives for participating
• Like to be provided with online educational resources such as blogs or health libraries
• Work/life balance is a continual complaint

Baby Boomers, 1946-1964

• Larger emphasis on financial wellness than bodily wellness.
• Look for onsite support and need opportunities to ask questions
• Like to research and consume content
• Stuck in their ways
• Workaholics

Learn more about the differences between each generation by downloading my Generational Wellness in the Workplace white paper. Understanding each lifestyle better can help employers leverage employees’ differences as strengths and provide a variation of resources that provide value in different ways.

Questions? Don't hesitate to contact me. 

According to OSHA, establishing a safety and health program in your workplace is one of the most effective ways of protecting your most valuable asset: your workers. Losing workers to injury or illness, even for a short time, can cause significant disruption and cost to you as well as the workers and their families. It can also damage workplace morale, productivity and turnover.

While beneficial, implementing these programs can be a daunting task. OSHA recommends the following steps to simplify the process and create structure for your program.

Getting Started:

1. Set safety and health as a top priority
2. Lead by example
3. Implement a reporting system
4. Provide training
5. Conduct inspections
6. Collect hazard control ideas
7. Implement hazard controls
8. Address emergencies
9. Seek input on workplace changes
10. Make improvements

Core Elements Needed:

1. Management leadership
   • Creates a culture of safety, facilitates trust, and reinforces the core elements
2. Worker Participation
   • Results in improved design, implementation and evaluation
3. Hazard Identification and assessment
   • Identifies and documents all known suspected hazards
4. Hazard Prevention and control
   • Prevents injuries using hierarchy of controls: engineering, work practices, administrative, PPE
5. Education and Training
   • Ensures all workers understand safe work practices, are familiar with hazards and know how to participate.
6. Program Evaluation and Improvement
   • Assesses program effectiveness and modifications as needed.
7. Multiemployer worksites: Communication and coordination for host employers, contractors and staffing agencies.
   • Ensures communication and coordination to protect all workers onsite.

Preventing workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths as well as the suffering and financial hardship these events can cause for workers, families and the employers is incredibly valuable. Businesses with Safety and Health programs typically see an improvement in product, process and service quality, improved workplace morale and employee recruiting and retention, and a more favorable image and reputation among the community.

For more information on the development or improvement of your Safety and Health program, contact a Knowledge Broker at R&R Insurance.

Information provided by www.osha.gov/shpguidelines.