Employee health and well-being are critical elements of a productive workforce, and their importance should not be ignored, especially in a country like Pakistan, where the workforce plays a crucial role in driving economic growth.
We explore the challenges faced by employees in Pakistan regarding health and well-being and discuss strategies that businesses can adopt to promote a healthier and more productive workforce.
Challenges to Employee Health and Well-being in Pakistan
Pakistan faces multiple challenges in ensuring the health and well-being of its workforce. One of the primary challenges is the limited availability of quality education and healthcare, particularly in rural areas. The healthcare infrastructure in Pakistan is inadequate, leading to difficulties in accessing timely and quality healthcare services for many employees.
Usually, it is the existing socioeconomic factors that decide whether an employee is eligible for benefits, insurance, and health coverage. This means that underprivileged groups often miss out despite needing the most help. Considering this, employers must address any out-of-date and imperfect healthcare benefits and implement plans to support all workers.
Another significant challenge is the prevalence of occupational health hazards in many industries. Workers in manufacturing, agriculture, and construction sectors are often exposed to hazardous working conditions, leading to long-term health issues.
Mental health is another area of concern in Pakistan, with a significant stigma attached to mental health issues. Many employees are disinclined to seek help for mental health problems due to fear of stigma and discrimination.
Furthermore, the lack of work-life balance is a common issue faced by employees in Pakistan. Long working hours and a lack of policies supporting work-life balance can lead to stress and burnout among employees.
Focus Areas in Improving Employee Health and Well-being
By creating a robust strategy, corporate professionals can foster better employee health while enhancing business outcomes like engagement, retention, productivity, and trust.
This can be done by focusing on the four core areas of employee well-being:
- Mental
- Physical
- Social
- Financial
Out of these, the mental and physical can be directly addressed to help employees improve their social and financial well-being.
Mental: Mitigating the employee mental health crisis
Good employee mental health is always a critical part of overall employee well-being. Still, it is only now that businesses are becoming more aware of their responsibility toward helping their employees achieve it.
Handling mental health issues in the workplace has also taken on greater importance as an increasing number of people have chronic mental conditions like stress and internalized trauma-based disorders like anxiety and depression.
There are a lot of opportunities for businesses to fill the gaps in medical plans and offer comprehensive healthcare to the workforce. Employers can do the right thing and meet growing social obligations while caring for their businesses’ health.
Physical: Addressing the gap in healthcare affordability
Traditionally, employers have offered more wide-ranging benefits for higher earners and management. However, this approach estranges lower-earning employees and discriminates against minority groups.
This can lead to unfulfilled care expectations and cause staff to become disheartened and demotivated. The traditional approach also results in high turnover in the under-served groups. This can also affect the reputation of employers viewed as failing badly in this area.
Businesses need to turn the benefits pyramid upside down to handle this negative image of how they approach the provision of healthcare benefits.
To do this, firms should provide evenhanded levels of benefits for employees at every level of their organization, focusing on previously unmet needs
Strategies for Promoting Employee Health and Well-being
Despite these challenges, there are several strategies that businesses in Pakistan can adopt to promote employee health and well-being:
- Implementing Health and Safety Policies:
Businesses should implement robust health and safety policies to protect employees from occupational hazards. This includes providing appropriate safety gear and training to employees working in hazardous environments.
- Offering Healthcare Benefits:
Providing access to healthcare benefits, such as medical insurance and regular health check-ups, can help employees address health issues proactively.
- Promoting Mental Health Awareness:
Employers should promote mental health awareness and create a supportive environment where employees are comfortable asking for help for mental health issues.
- Supporting Work-Life Balance:
Introducing policies that support work-life balance, such as flexible working hours and telecommuting options, can help reduce stress and improve employee well-being.
- Providing Wellness Programs:
Offering opt-in wellness programs, such as yoga classes, mindfulness sessions, and health education workshops, can help employees adopt healthier lifestyles.
- Encouraging Physical Activity:
Encouraging physical activity, such as through on-site gyms or fitness classes, can help improve employee fitness and overall well-being.
Benefits of Prioritizing Employee Health and Well-being
Prioritizing employee health and well-being can have several benefits for businesses in Pakistan:
1. Increased Productivity: Healthier and happier employees are more productive and engaged in their work, leading to better business outcomes.
2. Reduced Absenteeism: By addressing health issues proactively, businesses can reduce absenteeism and improve overall workforce attendance.
3. Enhanced Employee Engagement: Focusing on employee health and well-being can improve employee morale and engagement, leading to a more positive work environment.
4. Improved Employer Branding: Businesses that prioritize employee health and well-being are seen as more attractive employers, helping attract and retain top talent.
5. Cost Savings: Investing in employee health and well-being can lead to long-term savings by reducing healthcare costs and turnover rates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, focusing on employee health and well-being is not just a moral obligation but also a strategic imperative for businesses in Pakistan. By implementing strategies to promote employee health and well-being, companies can create a more productive, engaged, and sustainable workforce, ultimately driving long-term success and growth.
Sadia Zaheer holds a Masters in Business Administration from IBA, Karachi. After working in several financial institutions in Client Management, Corporate Lending, Islamic Banking and Product Management she jumped careers to pursue a career in writing.
She is a Finance, Business and HR Development writer with four years of experience. She reads a lot and takes care of her multiple cats to remain calm.
