The New Year’s resolutions every employer should make

The New Year represents a fresh start, so it’s no surprise that many employees are tempted by a January job search. With that in mind, there’s no better time for employers to assess how they are meeting their employee’s needs – in order to retain valuable team members and attract the best new talent. The Occupational Health experts at YourGP are here to help you do just that. Take a look at their suggested New Year’s resolutions to ensure your employees are getting the best from your business.

Assess your health and safety policies

Thanks to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974, employers are required by law to protect the health and wellbeing of their team. So now is a good time to revisit your health and safety policies and procedures, and ensure they are up to date. Businesses change and evolve with time, and your health and safety policies may need to be adapted to reflect these changes.

Organise training sessions

Investing in health and safety training is an effective way of reducing the risk of injury and absences. If there are gaps in employees’ knowledge, organise refresher training sessions to ensure the importance of good health and safety practices are always front of mind.

Carry out risk assessments

Take time to identify any potential hazards or risks within your workplace and create a clear course of action to remove or reduce them. You may find it useful to look back at accident reports and take action to ensure similar incidents are avoided in future.

Check all equipment

It is absolutely crucial that all fire extinguishers and alarms are in good working order and that first aid kits are fully stocked. All electrical equipment should be regularly PAT-tested, so check the inspection dates on all equipment and repair or replace items if necessary.

Dedicate time to mental health

When we talk about health and safety in the workplace, many people assume it refers to things such as slips, trips and falls. But just as much attention should be given to potential mental health issues as to physical hazards. Anxiety, depression, stress and burn-out can have a huge effect on individuals, so employers should take time to consider potential triggers and stressors within the workplace and consult employees on how best to minimise these.

Invest in occupational healthcare

Your employees’ health can have a huge impact on their ability to do their job. Protect their health by offering access to quality occupational healthcare.

YourGP offers a range of comprehensive packages, all of which can be tailored to your business’s specific needs. We offer a range of health screening and health assessment services, including an executive health medical – YourGP’s most popular option. We can also provide fitness for work assessments, which can determine suitability for employment and identify any reasonable adjustments that may need to be considered after a period of absence. And we can deliver all this with minimum disruption to your business. Our flexible, “on-demand” service is designed to fit within your schedule, thus minimising disruption to your working day

Speak to the Occupational Health experts at YourGP

If you’re interested in finding out more about how your employees could benefit from a robust occupational healthcare package, speak to the experts at YourGP. Simply call 0131 381 0322 or email occhealth@your.gp to make an appointment and we’ll be happy to advise on ways to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of your employees in the New Year and beyond.