NIOSH: Promote work-family balance to reduce workplace injuries

There is mounting evidence that work-family stress is related to higher absenteeism, lower performance, and higher job and family stress. New research points to significant links to occupational safety and health and work-family stress, according to the Oregon Healthy Workforce Center.

In an article for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Total Worker Health Program, the ORHWC says recent surveys suggest decreased work-family stress is related to reduced injury risk and increased safety compliance and safety participation among workers. The TWH is a strategy integrating health protection with health promotion to prevent worker injury and illness and to enhance well-being.

The ORHWC suggests employers help their workers achieve better work-family balance by:

Training managers and supervisors to be more supportive of work and family. Recent evidence shows that employee support from managers and supervisors for family and work balance leads workers to report better health, improved job satisfaction, and lower intentions to leave the company.
Giving workers more control over their work hours. Increased control over when, where, and how work gets done is related to improved health behaviors.
Creating a resource guide for employees and their families.
Being a role model. Take some time off to be with your own family to show your employees you know this should be a priority for them as well.
Encouraging and supporting flexible schedules. Help employees to come up with creative solutions for child care coverage during holidays and school vacations such as working a compressed workweek, when possible.

New whistleblower committee named; first meeting announced (01/28/13)
Wolf Horejsh to take over reins at IAIABC (09/19/11)
Innovations in workstations, mousing net ergo awards (01/14/13)
Safety council warns of overexertion injuries (08/01/11)
Fire-related fatalities doubled in 2010, according to BLS annual census (09/01/11)

"The protection and improvement of the well-being of all people who work are goals shared by workers, their families, and employers," said NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard. "There is increasing evidence that the work environment and the overall well-being of the workers within it are strongly connected, and many employers are offering family-friendly benefits and programs for their employees."

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

October 29, 2012

Newsletter Sign-up